Fire aboard Felicity Ace estimated at least $155 million in cargo damage

The Felicity Ace was on fire (Image: Portuguese Navy)

 
The fire aboard the 2005-built Felicity Ace in the Atlantic Ocean continued to burn after the 22 crew were evacuated on 16 February. Photographs taken by the Portuguese Navy show the ship and its decks. Its cargo was heavily damaged.

German media quoted an internal Volkswagen email as saying that the Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) train was carrying 3,965 vehicles of Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini brands. Of which, about 1,100 are Porsche.

Russell estimated that the cars and cargo on board the Felicity Ace were valued at $401 million, with a total value including the ship estimated at $438 million. Russell estimated the damage at least $155 million.

Suki Basi, Russell Group MD commented, “These figures showed once again the precariousness of global supply chains. The incident comes at a bad time for global carmakers who are in the middle of a supply chain crisis sourcing semiconductors, resulting in new delays for new cars. An event like this will not do a great deal in instilling trust with consumers."

Felicity Ace has departed from Germany to the US to transport export cars.

As the fire on board continues to burn, two large firefighting tugs are expected to arrive on the scene from Gibraltar on 20 and 21 February. A lifeboat with firefighting equipment is expected to arrive from the Netherlands on 24 February.

So far there have been no reports of oil leaks from the Felicity Ace.

See more:

• ZIM Kingston vessel caught fire near Victoria, BC, Canada after losing many containers

Source: Phaata.com (According to SeatradeMaritimes | Gcaptain)

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