Land Rovers, Jaguars Et Al Leave Hegh Osaka After Month At Sea

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Having spent most of January on its side, the Höegh Osaka returned to Southampton, England Tuesday to unload 1,400 premium vehicles bound for Germany.

According to The Daily Mail, the car carrier was intentionally run aground in the Solent off the Isle of Wight January 3 when it began to list at 52 degrees shortly after departing for Germany through the English Channel. Around 1,400 premium vehicles were onboard, including Land Rover Defenders, Jaguar XFs, MINIs, a Rolls-Royce Wraith, and a Porsche Boxster.

Presently, each of the 1,400 vehicles aboard are being inspected for any damage, especially the type that would mean a final ride to the crusher. The final total won’t come until early next week at the latest, though a decision to follow in Mazda’s footsteps — the automaker scrapped 4,700 units aboard the Cougar Ace in 2006 — would prove costly; the total value of Höegh Osaka’s cargo stands at £30 million ($45 million USD).

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • 87 Morgan 87 Morgan on Jan 30, 2015

    I believe they do chain them to the floor, but depending on the angle hard to say if the chains held in all cases. I am not certain they are designed to hang Rovers from the rafters so to speak. You would think someone with a high volume Rover repair shop would be interested in them for pennies on the dollar for parts.

    • Jhefner Jhefner on Jan 30, 2015

      I think Mazda made the smart decision to treat all the parts in all the cars as suspect, and crush them. Just a few damaged parts making their way into the supply chain and subsequently failing would have been terrible publicity, and I am sure at least some of the loses were covered by insurance.

  • Hogie roll Hogie roll on Jan 30, 2015

    They probably aren't damaged. But 45 million could quickly get eaten up in lawsuits if some unforeseen problem arises with these cars.

  • Silverbird Silverbird on Jan 30, 2015

    That is what marine insurance is for.

  • Cabriolet Cabriolet on Jan 30, 2015

    The cars are chained to the deck. Hoegh line is a very old steamship company. They used to be in the liner trade about 10 years ago but gave it up. I used them for years going into the middle east. If you were ever in the shipping business or worked for a freight forwarder you would know the released value clause on the ocean bill of lading usually $100.00 per package. Some of course are higher. If the shipper did arrange insurance then they might declare general average. Whatever someone is going to get the hose. I understand the Mazda's that went down off the coast of Seattle were a total loss. The importer has no insurance nor did Mazda.

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