Volkswagen is facing two lawsuits in Germany related to the 2022 Felicity Ace fire, which was allegedly caused by a Porsche electric battery. The claimants, including Mitsui OSK Lines and Allianz, have launched legal proceedings in Stuttgart, which are currently on hold through mediation. The ship was carrying approximately 3,965 vehicles, representing a potential loss to VW of at least $155 million. The plaintiffs claim that VW failed to inform about the dangers of transporting electric cars. Also mentioned is a similar case involving BMW when the Fremantle Highway sank in the Netherlands.

Felicity Ace sinking: Mitsui OSK Lines and Allianz on the attack

In a complex and fascinating legal ballet, Volkswagen is set to face two lawsuits in Germany related to the tragic fire of the Felicity Ace cargo ship in 2022. A hard charge indicates that Porsche electric car batterya subsidiary of the VW Group, is believed to be the source of the fire that ultimately sealed the fate of the vessel carrying the valuable cargo.
The case reverberates from Stuttgart, the stronghold of the Porsche division, where the first prosecution was launched. According to a court spokesman, the plaintiffs include Mitsui OSK Lines, the ship’s operator, and Allianz, one of the financial custodians of the precious cargo. Although the legal saga began a year ago, it has been temporarily put on hold due to planned mediation on a second lawsuit related to the flooding, which is currently pending in court in Brunswick.

Felicity Ace sinking: damage estimated at $155 million

If no agreement is reached during these negotiations, both cases will reopen. A Brunswick judge plans to hold those hearings later this month, according to the latest information provided by a court official. Although the German group has confirmed these procedures, the brand refuses to comment any further. It will be recalled that the Panamanian flag Felicity Ace caught fire near the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean in 2022, becoming a ghost ship after the rescue of its crew. This was revealed in an internal email from the German group the ship carried at least 3,965 vehicles. The colossal loss of the ship could have cost the automotive giant at least $155 million!
The plaintiffs insist that the fire was caused by a Porsche lithium-ion battery that was being transported on the ship. They claim that VW failed to inform them of the dangers and precautions needed to transport these electric vehicles., according to the statements of the Stuttgart court. Although the case was filed a year ago, judges have yet to get to the bottom of the dispute as the parties debate how much bail to post before they can take that important step.

This novel made a lot of noise, and since then another event has happened. Another Fremantle Highway ship sank off the coast of the Netherlands. The BMW group is said to have lost a thousand cars in this fire caused by an electric car.

Read also:

• Felicity Ace: What are the implications for the Volkswagen Group?
• Renault 5 E-Tech: what sacrifices will we have to make for a model for 25,000 euros?
• What are the first stars worth?