Tesla enthusiasts in Australia are venting their frustrations online as the anticipated arrival of their electric vehicles faces significant delays. Buyers, who made their purchases as early as August, are sharing their discontent as a car carrier, the Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) Glovis Caravel, faces obstacles on its journey from China to Australia.
Initially slated for an October delivery, some customers have experienced multiple delays, with new estimated delivery dates ranging from late January to the possibility of receiving an alternative vehicle. Reports suggest that a few buyers even received reassignments of different Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).
While an official explanation for the delays is yet to be provided, speculation among buyers centers on concerns related to a potential infestation of the Chinese “stink bug” or another invasive insect. An Australian reporter from the Daily Mail claims to have seen an email notifying buyers that the ship is being redirected to Shanghai for “further processing prior to re-entering an Australian port.”
The Daily Mail reports that the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry has denied the vessel permission to continue deliveries, citing a biohazard issue. Australia, known for its stringent regulations to prevent the introduction of non-native species and invasive pests, has faced previous challenges with pests infiltrating shipments.
AIS data indicates that the Glovis Caravel, registered in Panama, arrived in Brisbane at the end of October after a month-long voyage from China. While the vessel docked twice in Brisbane in mid-November and late November, most of the time was spent offshore, reportedly for fumigation attempts by the crew.
The vessel departed Australia in early December, and current data shows it is en route back to China, with uncertain outcomes for potential unloading in Brisbane. Port calls in Melbourne and Port Kembla were reportedly canceled, with the products scheduled for delivery to those ports being returned to China.
This is not the first time that a “biohazard” has disrupted the delivery of Tesla vehicles, according to the Daily Mail. The news outlet highlights a similar incident a year ago, where another vessel experienced delays due to biohazard concerns, pushing deliveries from late December into February 2023.
The Glovis Caravel, part of Hyundai Glovis’s fleet of 80 ships, has a history of insect-related issues. In 2018, the vessel arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, with 600 stink bugs discovered during an inspection before docking. New Zealand authorities ordered the vessel to undergo fumigation before permitting it to dock, marking the fourth cargo ship turned away due to invasive insects in recent weeks.
As Australian Tesla buyers await updates, the incident raises questions about the challenges electric vehicle manufacturers face in navigating global shipping regulations and biosecurity protocols.
