Failure of the authorities: Thousands of animals have to remain at sea for over two weeks due to engine failure
[Translate to English:] Der Frachter "Express M" (vorne) ist kein unbeschriebenes Blatt. Immer wieder hat er massive Probleme. Das Bild stammt von 2021, damals fuhr das Schiff noch unter dem Namen "Atlantic M".
Another serious case of animal cruelty on the high seas and massive failure on the part of the authorities: due to a faulty engine, 2,400 cattle and 460 sheep were trapped on a vessel for over two weeks - on a route that normally only takes 5 to 6 days. The animals, which had boarded the ship in Romania on 22 February, only reached their destination in Israel on Sunday evening, 9 March. And in a horrific condition, according to animal welfare activists from Israel:
‘It's been a while since we've seen and smelled animals in such a bad condition,’ says Yaron Lapidot from Israel Against Live Shipments. ‘The animals were covered in faeces and looked miserable and broken.’
Chaos journey becomes torture for the animals
The chaotic voyage of the ‘Express M’ began on 22 February. The vessel set sail from the port of Midia in Romania in the early afternoon, bound for Haifa in Israel. However, as the movement data shows, it stopped shortly after setting off and remained at anchor until 25 February before continuing its journey at an unusually slow speed of 3 to 4 knots. The vessel's normal operating speed would be around 10 knots.
According to the Romanian authorities, the ship suffered an engine failure due to mechanical problems. The crew was instructed to return to Romania to load more food. The export company disregarded this instruction and continued at a very slow speed. After crossing the Bosporus, the vessel anchored again near Istanbul on 28 February. There, two small ships, which apparently brought additional food on board, approached the ship before it continued its journey on 3 March.
The animals finally reached the port of Haifa on Sunday, 9 March, at 5.20 pm local time - after 15 days, 2 hours and 25 minutes. This means that the animals were on board for around ten days longer than planned!
Animals in poor condition
Video footage from the animal rights activists shows the animals being unloaded from the ship. Close-up footage from a truck on site shows that the animals are heavily soiled and their eyes are wide open. Their entire bodies are covered in excrement. Some are suffering from respiratory problems, as can be seen from the mucous discharge from their mouths and noses. This is a common phenomenon when animals are exposed to a high concentration of ammonia over a long period of time with poor ventilation.
Not all animals survived the horror journey. According to the Romanian authorities, the mortality rate was ‘less than 0.5 per cent’. But every dead animal is one too many! Animals are sentient beings that feel pain, they should not have to die in agony because the authorities failed.
Animal transport at sea: systematic cruelty
Unfortunately, the latest incident is not an isolated case. Time and again, we document massive problems with animal transports at sea. Animals that have to stand in their own faeces for weeks on end, are unable to lie down or move, and suffer from hunger and thirst. Dead or seriously injured animals that are thrown overboard and later wash up on beaches, manure that is dumped into the sea, dilapidated ships on which neither the animals nor the crew are safe.
This latest incident highlights once again how risky sea journeys are and why they should be banned. Once the animals leave European shores, we can no longer guarantee their safety. It is therefore imperative that the EU abolishes exports of live animals at sea as part of the ongoing revision of the Animal Transport Regulation.
EU Commission asked for clarification
Together with 18 other animal welfare organisations, we have called on the EU Commissioner responsible for animal welfare, Olivér Várhelyi, to contact the Romanian authorities immediately and withdraw the operating licence of the ‘Express M’ ship. Particularly explosive: when asked, the Romanian authorities could not even produce a copy of the operating licence of ‘Express M’. Such a licence is urgently needed to transport animals.
Romania should explain why the vessel was not obliged to return to the port of Midia when it suffered an engine failure shortly after setting sail. It was negligent to continue the voyage even though there were obviously serious problems. Such a scenario must not be repeated under any circumstances.
Vessel with numerous safety problems
The vessel ‘Express M’, which was built in 1983, has repeatedly attracted negative attention in the past. It was detained in Falmouth (United Kingdom) in 2009, in Tarragona (Spain) in 2018, in Sines (Portugal) and Waterford (Ireland) in 2020 and again in Sines in December 2024. There are many reasons for this. Among other things, the competent inspection authorities have repeatedly criticised ship safety, construction, navigation, international safety and the prevention of marine pollution.
‘Express M’ sails under the flag of Panama, which is classified as a grey flag under the Paris MoU. Until a complete ban on live animal transport on the high seas is imposed, the EU must at least ban ships flying black and grey flags. They pose a risk to animals, crew and the environment.
It is up to the EU decision-makers to implement the transport regulation in such a way that animals no longer have to suffer.
