Yellow spotted stink bugs were discovered on a ship containing Tesla electric cars that was sent back to Shanghai, China after a biosecurity risk was detected in Australia. The Glovis Caravel ship was reportedly denied entry into the country due to the discovery of the stink bugs, leading to its return to Shanghai. This decision affected Australians waiting for Tesla Model Y electric cars that were onboard the ship.
The Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry department confirmed that a “vehicle carrier” was managed due to the biosecurity risk posed by live insects detected on the vessel and its goods. The yellow spotted stink bugs were among other detections that posed a “significant threat” to Australia’s plant health environment. The authorities stated that the goods can only be unloaded once biosecurity risks have been managed to an acceptable level.
Tesla advised it may reassign awaiting customers with a car from a different batch of production, as the Glovis Caravel ship was forced to return to China. The publication also revealed that 1,000 Kia vehicles were also sent back to Australia onboard the same ship. Consequently, all orders were to be updated with a new vehicle identification number, a new ship, and a new delivery ship. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was contacted for comment. Meanwhile, Tesla has released 2023 fourth quarter production and delivery stats showing growth in all areas of its business.