[1] It was powered by a single main diesel engine rated at 15,286 kW (20,500 hp), giving a service speed of 22.3 knots (41.3 km/h; 25.7 mph).

Felicity Ace was completed on 5 October 2005 and delivered to MOL in the registered ownership of Aurora Car Maritime Transport SA under the Panamanian flag.

[3] The ship sailed from Emden, Germany, on 10 February 2022, carrying 3,965 Volkswagen Group cars, including Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley models.

[9][10] The Azorean harbourmaster told Reuters that lithium-ion batteries in electric cars had ignited and the fire could only be extinguished with special equipment.

[11][12] Felicity Ace was being followed by the Portuguese Navy patrol ship NRP Setúbal, approximately 170 kilometres (110 mi) southwest of the Azores, waiting for rescuers to try to extinguish the fire and tow the vessel to shore.

Lines (MOL) spokesperson said that the ship developed a 45-degree starboard list and unexpectedly capsized at approximately 9 am local time about 350 km (220 mi) off the Azores in rough seas.

The Portuguese Navy said oily residue and wreckage was visible at the surface, the water was about 3,000 m (9,800 ft) deep at the sinking site, and that naval forces would continue to monitor the area.

Lines, and Allianz SE, one of the insurers of the vessel, over claims it was the battery in a Porsche electric vehicle that triggered the fire onboard.