What Ship Sank with Luxury Cars?

Have you ever heard of a ship sinking with thousands of luxury cars on board? It might seem like a concept straight from Hollywood, but it's sadly a true story that captured the world's attention.

In this article, we'll go into the details of what happened when the ship carrying luxury cars sank. We'll examine the aftermath of the disaster and what cars were lost to the ocean floor.

Get ready for a fascinating journey into the world of luxury cars and maritime disasters.

The Sinking of the Felicity Ace

The Felicity Ace, a cargo ship carrying thousands of luxury vehicles from Germany to the United States, was engulfed in flames and sank into the Atlantic Ocean in March 2022.

The cargo of luxury cars on board included highly sought-after auto industry brands such as Porsche, Lamborghini, and Bentley.

Insurance experts have estimated that the damage costs were over $200 million in losses due to damage to these cars. The vessel went down about 250 miles off Portugal's Azores Islands while under tow from a salvage team who had extinguished the blaze.

It is unclear what started the fire precisely (some assumed it was problems with lithium-ion batteries) that eventually caused this tragedy.

However, we know that MOL Ship Management of Singapore reported that as they were being towed, the seafaring vessel had developed an unexpected 45-degree list to starboard and capsized around 9 am local time off the coast of the Azores in rough Portuguese waters while being escorted by Portuguese Navy vessels.

Volkswagen confirmed that insurance covered their vehicles on board despite the unfortunate incident. This cargo ship accident raises many questions about maritime safety policies worldwide and how to compensate those affected for their losses.

What Cars Sank with the Felicity Ace?

The Felicity Ace cargo vessel was carrying quite a variety of vehicles. Among the cars it held were over 1,400 Volkswagen Auto Group vehicles like Porsches, Bentleys, and Lamborghinis.

The Felicity Ace inventory list revealed that a total of 85 Lamborghinis were lost: 15 Aventadors (representing a final production run), 20 Huracans, and 50 Uruses.

Audi had 846 vehicles on board, Porsche reported over 580 cars gone, and the Volkswagen Group saw 523 vehicles sink underneath the sea.

For many collectors and enthusiasts, their hopes of owning some rare models have been shattered along with the Felicity Ace cargo ship. This tragedy will surely leave many people heartbroken and helpless as these cars have become part of our collective history.

We may never find these beautiful automobiles again. And some became irreplaceable due to the rarity of their make or model.

The Felicity Ace Cargo Ship Design

The Felicity Ace had a distinct design and construction process, resulting in a successful car-carrying vessel. The length of the vessel was 200 m (656 ft), with a beam of 32.26 m (105.8 ft) and a service draught of 9.7 m (32 ft).

This measurement contributed to its deadweight being 17,738 metric tons. Meanwhile, its gross tonnage was estimated to be 60,118 tons.

A single main diesel engine rated at 15,286 kW (20,500 hp) granted the ship an operating speed of 22,3 knots (41,3 km/h; 25.7 mph).

How Many Cargo Ships Sink Every Year?

Undoubtedly, the sinking of cargo ships is of major concern in the maritime industry. The most recent data from Allianz shows that in 2021, 54 merchant ships were lost.

This data translates to around one merchant vessel being sunk weekly throughout the calendar year. These figures don't take into account unreported incidents, such as private pleasure crafts or migrant vessels.

Additionally, when considering theUNCTAD's estimated global fleet count of 99,800 merchant ships, only 0.054% were lost - proving how relatively safe it is to operate cargo ships on the world's oceans.

Nevertheless, precautions should be taken, and any ship owners should have adequate insurance policies to protect against potential hull and machinery breakdowns or losses at sea due to severe weather or other hazards that ships can encounter on journeys across vast distances.

There are still risks associated with operating cargo ships, and everyone must always pay attention to safety. These figures demonstrate just how experienced seafarers have become over time in managing risks and transporting goods on a global scale.

What Can Cause a Cargo Ship to Sink?

A sinking ship can send shockwaves through history, causing damage and sorrow. One frequent reason an ocean behemoth sinks is when its mass exceeds its buoyancy. But other reasons also influence this outcome.

It can occur after interacting with another vessel, such as during a collision or if an opening appears in the hull from something like a grounding.

The ship's mass increases whenever water enters the vessel, but its buoyancy remains unchanged. Thus, the ship's ability to stay afloat is affected as weight overrides its buoyancy, resulting in increased submergence until tons of cargo ultimately sink beneath sea level.

Merchant vessels must have a document called a stability booklet provided by naval architects to help minimize the chances of ships sinking. This booklet outlines what sections of the ship water can fill before it drowns.

As an essential safety measure for these vessels and seafarers alike, it prepares them for any potential accidents or catastrophes at sea.

What Happens to Cargo Lost at Sea?

A shipping container transporting goods from one place to another may seem sturdy and reliable. After all, it would take rigorous safety measures for your cargo to avoid finding its way into the deep waters of our oceans.

Still, numerous cases exist where cargo containers are lost at sea due to improper packaging, weather conditions, and external factors.

The sustainability organization CSIRO conducted a study showing that more than 1,500 containers were lost at sea in 2019.

When this happens, governments and organizations conduct diligent searches to recover these cargo packages before they can cause any environmental damage to the ocean's ecosystem. Still, the fact remains that many containers become lost at the bottom of the sea.

In these cases, an individual can only file a claim with their insurance provider and ensure they have secured optimal coverage beforehand.

People can recover their duties faster without worrying about financial losses in case something unexpected occurs while your shipment is on its way.

Who Shoulders the Responsibility?

The shipping company hired to transport goods will be primarily responsible for any mishaps with the cargo and will likely have insurance in place to cover them in these cases.

The insurance taken out by the client should also provide coverage, with some policies extending to include "General Average," which covers the costs of rescuing the ship and cargo if they become endangered or in distress at sea.

Generally, these policies limit liability to an amount per kg/packing unit, so clients need to ensure that their policy offers sufficient protection.

In terms of laws relating to this area, the Hague Rules state that both the carrier and shipper shall share responsibility and liability equally where loss or damage occurs during the course of sea transit.

Furthermore, it sets out terms outlining what compensation may be due from either side depending on whether a delay has been caused by insufficient packaging or bad stowage methods employed by either party involved.

The full extent of legal responsibilities will differ depending on national legislation. Each country may have its own interpretation of international law in this regard and provide different time limits for when claims must be made.

Wrapping Up

The tale of the sunken Felicity Ace ship is a fascinating one that continues to capture the imagination of people worldwide. Although the loss of these expensive vehicles was unfortunate, it highlights the vulnerability of even the most luxurious possessions.

Who knows what other mysteries and hidden treasures might lie beneath the waves? Only time and intrepid explorers will tell.

A-1 Auto Transport always tries its best to ensure your prized car is never lost. Our expertise and experience allow our transport services to carry your car across oceans safely. Browse our website and get an instant quote today.