Media focuses on debate about the age of animal transport ships
Several maritime trade media outlets are currently reporting on the debate surrounding the age of cargo ships used to transport animals. We and other animal welfare organizations have been pointing out for years that outdated and technically deficient vessels endanger the lives of animals and crew during transport. That is why we, together with other animal welfare groups, have called on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enforce stricter rules for the transport of animals by sea. The head of the Australian animal transport industry has now weighed in on the debate, claiming that the age of the ships has little to do with their dangerousness. We can clearly refute this.
Our 2024 study, conducted in collaboration with the French environmental organization Robin des Bois, shows that livestock transporters in Europe are 42 years old on average. More than half of them sail under so-called “black flags.” These dilapidated ships pose significant risks to animals, crews, the environment, and public health.
The articles report on the growing criticism of such old animal transport ships, triggered by the case of the Blue Ocean A, a 34-year-old animal transporter flying the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis. The ship recently nearly ran aground due to engine failure. During a storm, it got into distress and had to be rescued by the Italian Navy (we reported).
After being rescued, the Blue Ocean A was detained in the Italian port of Cagliari. During an inspection, officials found a total of 54 deficiencies on the ship, 30 of which were serious. Among other things, deficiencies were found in fire protection, rescue equipment, bridge systems, emergency training, and the living and working conditions of the crew. This is not an isolated case: ships are repeatedly detained due to serious safety deficiencies. Nevertheless, many such scrap ships have EU approval for the transport of live animals.
At the political level, the EU is currently discussing stricter regulations. A possible ban on so-called “black flag” ships is also on the table, as our project manager Maria Boada Saña explains to Marinelink. According to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding, these ships have a particularly high number of deficiencies.
We hope that “black flags” will be banned and believe this to be a step in the right direction. “However, from an animal welfare perspective, these measures are not enough to address the deep-rooted structural problems of the animal transport fleet,” says Boada Saña. “Grey flag” ships, for example, are still allowed to transport animals. In our letter to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), published jointly with other organizations, we therefore call for stricter licensing criteria, greater transparency in inspections, and a long-term phase-out of long-distance live animal exports, among other things.
Now, the head of the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC) has weighed in on the debate. He claims that the age of a ship alone is not a measure of safety or animal welfare. What is crucial, he says, are regulation, management, preparation of the animals, and operational standards.
We agree: age alone is not the decisive factor. However, it is a fact that the fleet of ships approved for animal transport has structural safety problems. And this has a lot to do with their age. Over the years, the material deteriorates, the technology becomes outdated, engines, ventilation and supply systems wear out, and the risk of structural or technical defects and the need for maintenance increase.
Of course, a new ship does not automatically guarantee perfect transport. But to conclude from this that age does not play a central role contradicts basic technology.
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Marinelink
