A cargo ship carrying Australian-bound Tesla Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) along with an infestation of stink bugs has been refused entry to Australia and ordered back to China.
According to a report in The Canberra Times, the Glovis Caravel had been circling waters off the coast of Brisbane for weeks as the crew fumigated the vessel.
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The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed there were live Yellow Spotted Stink Bugs found onboard the Glovis Caravel in addition to other biosecurity risks.
“The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been working with a vehicle carrier to manage biosecurity risk posed by live insects detected on the vessel and its goods,” Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson said.
“The vessel became subject to biosecurity control upon entry into Australian territory. The Department understands that the vessel has left Australian territory in order to manage the biosecurity risk associated with the goods.
“There were multiple detections, including Yellow Spotted Stink Bug, which poses significant threat to Australia’s plant health and environment because of the damage it can do to agricultural crops, fruit and ornamental trees.
“The department’s primary concern is the management of biosecurity risk to protect Australia. The goods can be unloaded when biosecurity risks have been managed to an acceptable level.”
Prospective Tesla Model Y owners with vehicles onboard the Glovis Caravel have reportedly been contacted by Tesla regarding the delay.
“We are actively investigating all available options to get your Model Y to you as soon as possible,” an email seen by CarExpert stated.
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“This may include reassigning your order to a vehicle from the next batch of production. Further details will be provided in the coming week.”
This isn’t the Glovis Caravel’s first issue with stink bug infestation. In 2018, the New Zealand Herald reported the cargo ship was ordered to leave New Zealand after live stink bugs were observed onboard.
