Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Allianz have initiated legal action against Volkswagen over the sinking of the Felicity Ace, a roll-on roll-off (roro) vessel completely destroyed in an onboard fire apparently caused by electronic vehicle (EV) batteries.
The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Volkswagen, holding the automotive giant responsible for the loss of the vessel and its cargo.
MOL, a Japanese shipping company, and Allianz, a global insurance provider, have filed the lawsuit in a bid to seek compensation for the damages incurred as a result of the incident.
The roro was carrying thousands of Volkswagen EVs when white smoke from a chemical burn started billowing out of its hull February 2022.
Efforts by fire-fighting teams from as far as Rotterdam to extinguish the fire failed, and the Ace completely burned out while it was off the coast of the Azores.
It finally sank while it was being towed to a salvaging location.
According to a statement released by MOL, the legal action against Volkswagen is grounded in the belief that the automotive manufacturer failed to adequately address safety concerns related to its vehicles.
The statement asserts: "Volkswagen's failure to address known safety issues with its vehicles ultimately led to the catastrophic loss of the Felicity Ace and its cargo."
Allianz, which insured the cargo aboard the ill-fated vessel, echoed similar sentiments in its own statement.
"We have a responsibility to our policyholders to pursue all available avenues for compensation in cases where negligence has resulted in significant losses.”
The lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the aftermath of the disaster, which has reverberated throughout the maritime and automotive industries.
The sinking of the auto liner has not only resulted in substantial financial losses but also raised questions about safety protocols and liability within the supply chain.
Volkswagen, for its part, has yet to publicly respond to the legal action taken by MOL and Allianz. However, the automotive giant has previously expressed regret over the incident and pledged to co-operate fully with authorities in their investigations into the cause of the fire and subsequent sinking.
The outcome of the lawsuit is likely to have far-reaching implications for all parties involved, as it could set precedents for future cases involving maritime accidents and liability disputes. As legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders across industries will be closely monitoring developments to gauge the potential impact on their respective interests.