Dispute Arises Over Salvaged BMWs From MV Fremantle Highway Fire
Nearly a year ago, the car carrier MV Fremantle Highway experienced a fire off the European coast, raising concerns about its potential sinking. Fortunately, the ship withstood the ordeal, and some of the vehicles on board are believed to be salvageable. However, BMW has intervened, seeking to prevent the sale of these cars, arguing they are too damaged to be safe for the road.
The MV Fremantle Highway set sail from Germany to Egypt in July 2023, carrying approximately 4,000 new cars. Shortly after departure, a fire erupted in the hold, likely caused by a malfunctioning electric vehicle battery. The fire spread quickly, tragically resulting in the death of one crew member among the 23 aboard. Unlike the Felicity Ace, which sank in February 2022, the Fremantle Highway was ultimately saved and brought to the Dutch port of Eemshaven for repairs and salvage efforts.
Reports indicate that about a quarter of the 3,857 cars on board were considered to be undamaged, according to Maritime Executive. Specifically, 260 BMW vehicles were slated for sale by a Taiwanese insurance company and were expected to be resold to a group of Dutch investors, as highlighted by The Northern Times. The Dutch group contends that the cars suffered only minor soot damage from the fire and intends to resell them. However, BMW strongly opposes this.
The automaker has reportedly filed a preliminary injunction in Dutch courts, citing safety concerns and the potential for reputational harm if these vehicles are sold. A lawyer for BMW mentioned that the vehicles had been classified as a "total loss" by the insurance company and that they suffered damage to their structural integrity, wiring, and paint. The company also noted that other vehicles salvaged from the ship, such as Audis and Mercedes-Benz cars, were recycled rather than sold due to similar concerns over their condition.
In an attempt to resolve the matter, the Dutch buyers proposed selling the salvaged BMWs outside of Europe. However, this raises further questions about their safety since the sellers seem reluctant to market them in Europe. It is conceivable that the BMWs are indeed in better shape than claimed, possibly having been located in a less damaged area of the hold. Nonetheless, doubts remain about the feasibility of repairing modern BMWs with damaged paint and wiring for resale, suggesting that the actual damage might be less severe than the Dutch group asserts.
Ultimately, the truth about the condition of these vehicles cannot be confirmed without direct inspection, which the public is unlikely to have the opportunity to do. Potential buyers should remain cautious if they come across seemingly “like-new” BMWs in Africa that are advertised as having only “minor” smoke damage.
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