While most of the new vehicles on the ship were replaced, the Felicity Ace also carried a handful of used cars that were lost forever. According to ImportInfo, a publicly available imports database, several older cars – including a JDM-spec Honda Prelude and a BMW 750Li (E66) – were also destroyed in the fire.
Total damages are estimated to be around $500 million. Following the fire, Mitsui OSK Lines has said it will no longer transport used electric vehicles. Hybrids, however, would still be permitted on its car carriers.
At the time, a spokesperson for the shipping company said, “We have decided to review our standards for accepting used vehicles and have decided to suspend accepting [bookings] of used battery electric vehicles for the time being.”
Last year, the Fremantle Highway cargo ship also caught alight, destroying thousands of vehicles.