Disclosure of Information on the FELICITY ACE Accident

February 18, 2022

MOL operated car carrier FELICITY ACE has experienced a fire while underway in the Atlantic on February 16, and all crew has evacuated from the vessel safely. Information regarding this accident will be disclosed in the following website.

MOL regrets for the inconvenience and concern caused. MOL will make every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as the main priorities.

Incident Overview
On 16th February 2022, at approximately 1130hrs CET a fire broke out on the Panama-flagged car carrier, "Felicity Ace" (IMO 9293911) some 90 nautical miles southwest of the Azores in the Atlantic, whilst the vessel was on passage from Germany to USA.

All appropriate authorities were immediately alerted and with the assistance from commercial ships and a navy helicopter in the area, all 22 crew members were safely evacuated from the ship and taken ashore.

MOL Shipmanagement Singapore, the managers of the 'Felicity Ace', are continuing to make every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as the main priority.

Vessel Details & Ownership/Management Details
Vessel Name: FELICITY ACE
Vessel Type: Vehicle Carrier
Flag: Panama
Year of Build: 2005
Gross Tonnage: 60118
DWT: 17738

Owner: Snowcape Car Carriers S.A. (100% owned by MOL)
Operator: MOL
Shipmanager: MOL Ship Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
Flagstate: Panama

Statement 3

Singapore - 19th February 2022

MOL Ship Management (Singapore) wishes to update the situation regarding the Felicity Ace, car carrier, which is assumed to remain on fire south of the Azores currently drifting away from the islands.

A local patrol boat has arrived on scene with the initial salvage team.

Two large tugs with firefighting equipment have been arranged to support the vessel, one of which will arrive from Gibraltar with ETA February 20th. A second tug, also from Gibraltar is scheduled to arrive on scene with ETA February 21st. In addition a salvage craft with firefighting equipment is set to arrive from Rotterdam with ETA February 23/24.

Currently there is no oil leakage confirmed from the vessel, which remains stable.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Statement 2

Singapore - 18th February 2022

Following the fire on board the car carrier "Felicity Ace" on February 16, MOL Ship Management (Singapore) report that all crew members are now safe in a hotel in the Azores and all are in good health.

The Portuguese Navy, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), has a warship standing by and monitoring the drift of Felicity Ace.

Managers have appointed a salvage company and an initial salvage team has arrived in the Azores and is on the way to the vessel estimated to arrive February 18(local time). Further salvage assets are being readied to attend the vessel.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines wishes to thank the Portuguese Navy, the local authorities in the Azores and those vessels that supported the rescue operation of the crew members in the best traditions of the Merchant marine.


Car carrier "Felicity Ace"

Statement 1

Singapore - 17th February 2022

MOL Shipmanagement Singapore, managers of the car carrier “Felicity Ace” (IMO 9293911) report that the Panama Registered vessel has experienced a fire and the Master has taken the prudent decision to abandon the ship.

With assistance from commercial ships and helicopter in the area, all 22 crew members have been safely evacuated from the ship. All crew members have been taken ashore to the nearest island. At this time of report, there has been no oil leakage observed from the vessel.

Felicity Ace was on passage from Germany to USA, carrying car units, when the fire occurred in approximate position 37 deg.29.9N x 030 deg. 14.00W, some 90 nautical miles southwest of the Azores in the Atlantic. The fire was first reported at around 1130 hrs CET on February 16.

All the appropriate authorities have been alerted and are responding. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines as the operator of the vessel and MOL Shipmanagement Singapore, has established an incident response team to coordinate the emergency.

As the safety of the crew members have been confirmed, MOL will make every effort to contain the damage and resolve the situation as the main priorities.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.


Car carrier "Felicity Ace"

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. press release