Felicity Ace Ship Fire: The $438 Million Maritime Disaster That Shocked the Auto Industry

After the Ever Given and Golden Ray incidents, the Felicity Ace ship fire joins the list of maritime catastrophes that shook the global shipping and automotive industries. The vessel, carrying nearly 4,000 Volkswagen Group vehicles, caught fire near the Azores Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, leaving a trail of luxury cars, unanswered questions, and massive financial losses in its wake.

🔥 What Happened to the Felicity Ace?

On February 16th, 2022, the Felicity Ace—a massive car carrier measuring 650 feet long and 106 feet wide—caught fire while en route from Emden, Germany to Davisville, Rhode Island. The blaze erupted on the sixth day of its voyage, forcing all 22 crew members to abandon ship.

Rescue operations were coordinated by the Portuguese Navy and Air Force, with assistance from nearby merchant ships. All crew were safely evacuated to the Azores, thanks in part to the Resilient Warrior oil tanker, which was the first vessel to respond to the distress call.

🚗 What Was Onboard?

The ship carried 3,965 vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, including:

• • Around 1,100 Porsche models
• • 189 Bentleys
• • Dozens of Lamborghinis
• • Hundreds of Volkswagen and Audi models such as the Golf R, GTI, Arteon, and ID.4

According to Automotive News Europe and Car and Driver, affected customers were promptly contacted by their dealers. However, the total loss was staggering—estimated at $438 million USD.

⚓ The Aftermath: From Fire to Sinking

Initially left adrift but monitored by the Ponta Delgada Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the Felicity Ace was later towed toward the Azores as a SMIT Salvage team from Spain and the Netherlands mobilized to fight the fire.

Despite efforts to save it, the ship lost stability and sank on March 1st, 2022. The Portuguese Navy confirmed debris and a small oil sheen at the site, though environmental damage was minimal. The official cause of the fire remains unknown.

💡 Industry Impact

This was not the first time the Volkswagen Group lost vehicles at sea. In 2019, the Grande America liner caught fire and sank with thousands of new cars, including several limited-edition Porsche 911 GT2 RS models. These incidents underscore the high stakes of global maritime logistics and the vulnerabilities of modern supply chains.

🎥 Watch the Rescue Operation

Below is footage of the Portuguese Air Force transferring the Felicity Ace crew members from the Resilient Warrior tanker to safety in the Azores:

▶ Watch on YouTube: Felicity Ace Crew Rescue Operation

🌍 Key Facts Summary

• Vessel name: Felicity Ace
• Flag: Panama
• Length: 650 ft (198 m)
• Built: 2005
• Incident date: February 16, 2022
• Sank: March 1, 2022
• Total cargo value: ≈ $438 million USD
• Environmental impact: Minimal, under monitoring

🌊 Final Thoughts

The Felicity Ace ship fire is a stark reminder of how fragile global trade can be. Even in an age of high-tech logistics, accidents at sea can ripple through industries and economies. Fortunately, no lives were lost—and the event has renewed calls for better maritime safety and cybersecurity standards worldwide.

For more updates on global shipping news, container trends, and maritime insights, visit YES Containers Blog.