No connection between ‘ship of death’ & Kuwait
‘Vessel leased to Iraqi investor’
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 28: Informed sources have vehemently denied any connection between Kuwait and the vessel carrying livestock, commonly referred to as the “ship of death,” which recently docked in Cape Town, South Africa, stirring controversy.
The vessel, transporting livestock from Brazil to Basra, Iraq, made a routine stop in Cape Town, clarified the sources, asserting that the stopover was not prompted by any emergency. Such layovers are customary for livestock carriers traveling from the Americas to the Middle East or neighboring regions, often stopping at ports in countries like Spain or Portugal.
These matters are overseen by the governments of these developed countries themselves, preempting interference from animal welfare groups due to their perceived bias and lack of factual accuracy in presenting information. Given its route from the southern hemisphere, the ship chose Cape Town as its stopover point.
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Furthermore, the sources highlighted that despite flying the Kuwaiti flag, the vessel is leased to an Iraqi investor for transporting cargo to Iraq, absolving the State of Kuwait of any involvement . Additionally, they affirmed that the Kuwait-owned ship is among the world’s top-tier and most modern livestock carriers.
Contrary to sensationalized reports, meticulous examination of the shipment revealed that claims of bad odor and high mortality rates were greatly exaggerated. Mortality rates aboard the vessel were lower than standard rates on livestock farms, and the livestock were found to be in excellent health. Allegations of heightened ammonia levels were debunked, with a South African Ministry of Agriculture medical team confirming the animals’ well-being.
In response to efforts by animal welfare groups seeking to halt livestock trade, the sources condemned such actions as baseless, noting that published images depicted only a small fraction of the total livestock, strategically magnifying isolated incidents to mislead the public.
Regarding the ship captain’s statement about disposing of deceased livestock, it was clarified that any deceased animals would be appropriately handled in accordance with international regulations, refuting claims of deliberate disposal during the voyage.
Receiving
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a British maritime authority disclosed receiving a report concerning three boats tailing a ship off the coast of Kuwait, reports AlQabas daily.
According to the authority, the boats continued for approximately an hour, each reportedly had two individuals on board, although no weapons or uniformed personnel were seen.
The ship’s captain informed the authority that the small boats followed his vessel for an hour, maintaining a distance of less than a nautical mile. The captain assured that both the ship and its crew were safe.
In response to the incident, the British Navy advised ships navigating through the area to exercise caution and promptly report any suspicious activities they encounter.
Regarding a purported success by the Foundation for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in South Africa in halting a livestock shipment in 2022, the sources downplayed it as exaggerated, emphasizing the organization’s failure to prevent livestock exports altogether, merely delaying the shipment’s loading.