Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Chile opens lithium salt flats for investment, saves two for state control

Reuters | March 26, 2024 |

Chile’s Atacama region. (Image by LMspencer | Stock Photo.)

Chile’s government on Tuesday opened up more than two dozen lithium salt flats to private investment, while reserving the prolific Atacama and Maricunga deposits for state majority control in lithium extraction.

The long-anticipated announcement sheds light on how President Gabriel Boric’s government plans to carry out a policy announced last year to boost state control over the South American country’s lithium industry, the world’s second-largest after Australia.

The opening to fresh projects could more than double Chile’s production of lithium, a key material for electric vehicle batteries, in a decade, said Finance Minister Mario Marcel.

“What we announced a year ago is starting to become a reality,” he told a press conference.

Officials said they would open a tender process in 26 salt flats in April, set to conclude in July, although not all would necessarily attract interest, officials said.

In another five salt flats, state-run companies are already beginning projects and seeking partners.

Only two companies currently extract lithium in Chile – Chile’s SQM and US-based Albemarle – both in the Atacama salt flat.

The Atacama salt flat has the world’s highest concentration of lithium in brine, and the Maricunga salt flat also has some of the highest levels in Chile.

The government appointed state-run copper giant Codelco to negotiate joint ventures with each company. So far, the miner has inked a preliminary deal with SQM set to run through 2060.

Codelco this month also completed the $244 million acquisition of Australia’s Lithium Power International, which owns the Salar Blanco project alongside Codelco’s own holdings in Maricunga.

Officials on Tuesday said the government is also interested in participating in lithium projects outside Atacama and Maricunga, without a majority stake.

Some projects led by private companies will require approval by local indigenous communities, depending on the potential impact in each region, officials said.

Mining Minister Aurora Williams noted that officials are still evaluating the creation of a national lithium company, part of the plan outlined last year, without a deadline for next steps.

Environmental protection will be granted to 30% of the salt flats, in areas that have yet to be determined, officials said.

(By Alexander Villegas, Daina Beth Solomon and Natalia Ramos; Editing by Sarah Morland and Sonali Paul)

World’s top uranium miner seeks to boost exports to US

Bloomberg News | March 26, 2024 |

Kazatomprom operates through its subsidiaries, JVs and associates, 26 deposits grouped into 14 asset clusters, all of which are located in Kazakhstan.

(Image courtesy of Kazatomprom.)

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest uranium miner, is conducting “active work” to boost exports of the metal to US energy companies.

The country’s energy ministry said cooperation in the energy sector had been discussed at a meeting with US Senator Steve Daines on Tuesday. The nation already has contracts to supply uranium products until 2032 with firms including Southern Co., Constellation Energy Corp. and Duke Energy Corp., it said.

Interest in the radioactive metal has surged amid a growing supply gap and increased demand as governments worldwide turn to nuclear power to counter climate change. In addition, the US is looking to ban imports of enriched Russian uranium — the kind used to fuel nuclear reactors and weapons — raising the appeal of potential alternative suppliers.

(By Nariman Gizitdinov)

Northern Star seeks to expand the already massive “Super Pit”

Cecilia Jamasmie | March 26, 2024 |

The Super pit is Western Australia’s biggest open pit gold mine.

(Image courtesy of Northern Star Resources.)

Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST), the owner of Western Australia’s biggest open-pit gold mine, the Super Pit, is seeking approval for a significant expansion for the already massive operation.

The project would add seven years to the Super Pit productive life, keeping it open until 2034. The mine, formally named Fimiston Open pit, is one of the four assets that make up Northern Star’s Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM) operations, about 600 km east of Perth.

The proposed expansion includes widening and deepening the current pit, as well as scaling up the Fimiston II tailings storage facility and building a new TSF (Fimiston III).

It also involves clearing of up to 1868 hectares (ha) of which 1,580 ha is native vegetation, the application to Western Australia’s environmental authority shows.

In total, Northern Star expects to increase the area of the development to 7,795 hectares, up from the currently approved 5,914 hectares, it said.

There has long been speculation about the fate of the Super Pit, but a few months after acquiring the asset in 2020, Northern Star provided a clear signal that was committed to continue mining until the mid-2030s.

The company, the top publicly traded gold producer in Australia, allocated last year A$1.5 billion ($982 million) to more than double processing capacity to about 27 million tonnes of ore per year by 2029 at its Kalgoorlie operations.

Soaring gold prices have sparked significant activity in the Australian bullion sector. Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) in December agreed to buy an 80% stake in the Northparkes copper-gold mine in New South Wales from Chinese miner CMOC Group. That followed the high profile acquisition of Newcrest by gold giant Newmont (NYSE: NEM) for more than $15 billion.

Last month, Red 5 (ASX: RED) acquired Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR) to build a mid-tier gold producer valued at $1.5 billion, and Perseus Mining (ASX, TSX: PRU) is ready to take on OreCorp (ASX: ORR).

Fortune Minerals gets federal funding for Northwest Territories project, Alberta refinery

Staff Writer | March 26, 2024 |

Aerial view of Fortune Minerals’ NICO cobalt-gold-bismuth copper project in the Northwest Territories. Credit: Fortune Minerals

The Canadian government announced on Tuesday a C$714,500 investment in Fortune Minerals (TSX: FT) for the production of cobalt sulphate and bismuth ingot products from the company’s planned mine in the Northwest Territories and refinery in Alberta.

A pilot-scale hydrometallurgical program will be designed to optimize processing conditions while ensuring that residues from the process are stable for safe disposal, Natural Resources Canada said in a news release, adding that the project will create job opportunities for skilled trades and professional occupations, including Indigenous communities, and introduce a new sustainable technology to other Canadian companies.

The investment aims to help Canada participate directly in the growing market of battery-grade cobalt and other concentrates instead of shipping concentrates overseas for value-added processing, NRC said.

Funding for this project comes from the Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration (CMRDD) program. The CMRDD aims to advance the commercial readiness of emerging mineral processing unit operations and technologies that will support the development of zero-emission vehicle value chains in Canada by providing raw material inputs for use in batteries and permanent magnets.

“Today’s investment of C$714,500 for Fortune Minerals will help to advance the development of dynamic and competitive critical minerals value chains through an innovative new processing technology,” Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said in the statement.

“This means good jobs for workers, more investment in Canadian innovation and lower emissions across the country.”

NGO Sues UK Government Over International Fishing Quotas

British trawler in Weymouth — Tim Hill / Pixabay

UK’s environmental group Blue Marine Foundation has sued the British government for setting fishing quotas above sustainable levels.

The charity claims that the government has set fishing quotas for more than half of UK stocks at levels exceeding what scientists recommend. The group says that this is illegal under post-Brexit fishing law, which requires that the management of UK’s fisheries is based on the best available scientific advice. The organization estimates that the sum of annual quotas for mackerel and the resulting catches have exceeded scientific advice by an average of 44 percent since 2010.

Before filing suit, Blue Marine Foundation sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment and Food on January 24, but said that it did not receive adequate answers.

Every year, the UK, EU and Norway negotiate catch limits for their shared commercial fisheries in the North Sea and North Atlantic Ocean. The mackerel fisheries are the most valuable and are the largest proportion of the quota system. Other species covered by the arrangement include cod, whiting and monkfish.

Blue Marine says that in the quotas for 2023, the UK granted Norway access to its waters for a higher total allowable catch – well above past levels. In return, Norway would transfer over 24,000 tons of mackerel quota to the UK.

This quota is worth about $30 million. It was negotiated by the UK even though the stock was overfished, and was distributed for reasons that remain secret, according to Blue Marine. The usual mackerel share for Norway has been 22.5 percent in the last one decade. However, in the 2023 quota negotiation, the UK raised that share to 32 percent. This action reversed a long standing position that shares should not go beyond historic levels.

“It is not remotely clear what benefit the public is getting from over-allocating this valuable resource. It is time that the distribution of fishing opportunities is reformed to protect the marine environment and food security in ways which benefit our struggling coastal communities,” said Charles Clover, co-founder of Blue Marine.

Mackerel quota remains controversial because while the coastal states have agreed to the scientific limit, they have failed to agree on how to share the catch. This has seen individual countries self-declare their own figures, so the overall catch ends up exceeding the scientific limit, leading to 400,000 tons more fish being caught than was sustainable in 2023. Blue Marine says that this amounts to overfishing, and has a disproportionate impact on small fishing communities.

This case comes days after a report by Oceana UK released last week, revealed that industrial vessels suspected of using harmful fishing methods, such as bottom-trawling, spent more than 33,000 hours in UK’s marine protected areas in 2023.

Norway Grants Safety Permits to Build First Ammonia Bunkering Terminal

ammonia bunkering terminal design — Concept for the first ammonia bunkering terminal using a floating barge to supply ammonia to vessels (Fjord Base)

The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection gave its approval for the construction of the planned ammonia bunkering facility at Fjord Base in Florø, Norway. The permit marks a significant milestone as it is the first permit for the building of an ammonia bunkering facility, coming just after a project in Singapore reported the first-ever bunkering of ammonia as a marine fuel and test aboard a vessel.

Yara Clean Ammonia and startup Azane Fuel Solutions launched their efforts two years ago in 2022 to develop the first network of ammonia bunkering stations planned for Scandinavia. According to the companies, the permit demonstrated how the planned ammonia bunkering terminal can meet the strict safety requirement of the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB).

Work with Fjord Base, operators of the largest offshore supply base for the oil and gas sector located in Florø, Norway, the planned terminal consists of a floating stationary barge with a capacity of 1000 cubic meters, or 650 tons, of ammonia. The permit allows for up to 416 operations annually, many of these expected to be bunkering operations for offshore supply vessels that regularly call at Fjord Base in Florø.

“Now we finally know with certainty the safety zones we will have to operate under when bunkering ammonia,” said Steinar Kostøl, VP Projects & Products for Azane. The required safety zones are very encouraging and demonstrate how it will be possible to bunker ammonia in the biggest and busiest ports around the world.”

Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane, and Fjord Base report they will now commence work with their project partners to obtain a permit with the local municipality. They look to complete this next step before a final investment decision on the first project.

The companies plan to develop a network of terminals in Scandinavia to meet the anticipated demand for ammonia as a marine fuel. They point to the early orders for ammonia-ready vessels as engine manufacturers work to complete the modifications to their engines and designs for the fuel supply system to commercialize ammonia-fueled propulsion. They also highlight that ENOVA, which operates the Norwegian Government’s Climate and Energy Fund to accelerate the development of new energy technologies, is planning a new round of ammonia grant tenders for ammonia-powered ships and ammonia infrastructure in 2024.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore working with partners including DNV and fuel supplier Vopak started in October 2023 to complete testing and training to support the first ammonia bunkering operation. An initial load of three tonnes of liquid ammonia was loaded from Vopak’s Banyan Terminal on Jurong Island in Singapore on a demonstration vessel, an OSV converted by Australia’s Fortescue Group.

The tests were carried out with the Fortescue Green Pioneer, a 3,100 dwt vessel built in 2010 and converted in 2023 to be able to operate on ammonia. According to the MPA, the fuel trial was conducted over a period of seven weeks and included rigorous testing of the vessel’s storage systems for ammonia, as well as the associated piping, gas fuel delivery system, retrofitted engines, and overall seaworthiness. A second bunkering of a further three tonnes of liquid ammonia will be loaded for the Fortescue Green Pioneer in the next few weeks. Further tests and trials are planned as the validation process continues.

A Global Carbon Tax on Shipping is Coming, Says ABS Chairman and CEO

ABS — Global Regulatory Framework is Essential for a Global Industry, Says Christopher J. Wiernicki in CERAWeek Appearance

[By: ABS]

A universal, global carbon tax on shipping is coming, as alternative blue fuels made with carbon capture emerge as a critical step in the energy transition at sea. That was the message from Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, during an appearance at the CERAWeek energy conference.

“We need to recognize that there is an intermediate step in the energy transition,” he said. “Last year the conversations were focused on going from oil to a green fuel economy. Today, we are seeing the emergence of the blue economy that addresses carbon management, carbon capture, carbon pricing and carbon credits and offsets, as an essential stepping-stone. The EU has recognized the importance of this intermediate economy with Fuel EU Maritime, and I believe you will see a universal carbon tax emerging as the IMO and the EU will synch together.”

Effective regulation under one global regulatory framework is going to be key to success in the energy transition at sea, he said.

“Commercial gravity alone will not get us to Net Zero by 2050. We will need ambitious measures, both carrot and stick. Fuel EU Maritime is one example, and a carbon tax is another. But a global industry needs a global approach, which is why IMO regulations are foundational for shipping. IMO has given us an investable roadmap with outcomes and signposts along the way. It has also introduced the shift from tank to wake to well to wake, which puts a completely new perspective on fuel choices when looking at lifecycle emissions performance. Even though the IMO is being challenged by regional lawmakers, everything really starts and stops with the IMO.”

Shipping’s transition is still only just beginning, he added, with much still to be decided in the coming decade of change.

“The next 10 years will determine what is desirable vs what is doable,” said Wiernicki. “It is way too early to declare fuel winners. The fuel technology readiness timeline will be incremental and go through a short game, a mid-game and a long game. Pace and speed will be driven by the boundary conditions of safety, fuel availability and scalability of infrastructure and, more specifically, by the cost of the electrolyzer and the cost of the carbon capture. We know these are the technologies with transformational potential, along with electrification and battery energy storage, green hydrogen and nuclear energy.”

Navigating Excellence: The Norwegian – Greek Maritime Innovation Summit

[By: Oriani Hellas]

A few Norwegians in Athens are always good for the booming Greek tourism economy, but what happens when more than a dozen carefully selected Norwegian maritime technologists come to Athens to share insights, connect with the customers, and participate in some insightful panel discussions? That happened just a few days ago in a unique location for a maritime technology conference.

Oriani Hellas organized, curated, and hosted the event Navigating Excellence: The Norwegian – Greek Maritime Innovation Summit, held on March 13th & 14th at the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens Greece. The event, supported by a grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grants Greece 2014-2021, in the frame of the Innovation, Business Development and SMEs program, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders to explore digital and technological solutions that are and will transform the maritime landscape.

A dynamic mix of startups and global leading companies took center stage, showcasing the diversity and depth of Norway's maritime technology landscape. From promising startups with fresh perspectives, to established industry players, the presence of these innovative entities led to a fruitful exchange of ideas and expertise.

As Her Excellency Ms. Lajla Brandt Jakhelln, Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Athens, pointed out opening the event...

“The strong advantage for European economies has always been our ability to innovate and we must not forget this advantage in order to take the European shipping industry to the next level. Competition from Asia is fierce. Finding the right technology is crucial. These technologies again need the support of digitization and big data...” Shipping is going through a period of MASSIVE change, at a much faster rate than ever before. Technology is being developed rapidly and while other industries are changing and adopting these tools, shipping is still traditional, and needs to catch up fast to ensure they remain competitive. We need technology, not only from a business perspective, where processes / people can become more efficient and more productive, but also to increase safety, to take better care of our crews, and to do everything we can to help save the planet.

Regarding the “unique location” which was the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens, Philip Nielsen the Co-founder of ORIANI HELLAS, mentioned: “...This building (the museum) has the aroma of the sea, of the Aegean Sea where Greek shipping began thousands of years ago. The Cycladic civilization placed human beings at its center. Thissame heritage, these same principles and same values are carried by the successful Greek shipping of TODAY, where human is still at the center for everything, we do...”

Outcomes of the event:

Day 1:

Session #1 focused on "Vessel Performance", moderated by George Teriakidis, Area Manager at DNV Maritime. Topics discussed:

Hull Maintenance and its Role in Performance Optimization – Age Hojmark | CEO of Shipshave highlighted the critical importance of hull maintenance strategies in enhancing vessel performance, advocating for proactive approaches to achieve operational flexibility, cost reduction, and emission mitigation.
Smarter Hull Management - a Proactive Approach - Manolis Levantis | Global Data Science Team Leader at Jotun, presented the benefits of proactive approach in hull management, fouling prediction algorithm and Jotun’s proactive solutions.
“Practical Approach to Digital performance management” - Darri Gunnarsson | General Manager at Ascenz Marorka presented the value of performance monitoring, including real-life case studies and an overview of Ascenz Marorka’s solution.

Session #2, "Fuel Optimization," moderated by Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director at ZeroNorth A/S, continued the discourse on maximizing fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Topics addressed:

“Hydrogen Fuel Cells - a feasible pathway to zero emission ship operations” - Cristian Skajem | Head of Communications, Teco 2030 presented the core technology of TECO 2030’s Hydrogen Fuel Cells and ongoing projects, plans and prospects of the company.
“Quantifying Environmental Impact” - Tonje Sellevoll Imafidon | Commercial Director at Ecoxy AS presented the necessity for shipping companies to address their environmental impact, offering a solution to provide reliable emissions measurements data crucial for emissions reduction efforts.
“FuelOpt Solution”- Richard Engelhart Bjercke | CCO at Manta Marine Technologies focused on FuelOpt, an on-board hardware solution to optimize fuel consumption based on vessel data from multiple sources, by fixing the speed and consumption settig and taking out continuous user changes.

The day concluded with Session #3 on "Big Data," moderated by Dr. Ioannis Lagoudis, Associate Professor at UNIPI, exploring the transformative potential of big data in maritime operations. Panel topics:

“Using Data to improve efficiency: Drydocking and beyond” - John Wills | VP - Product Management at Shipnet, presented the untapped value of data in improving efficiency for the maritime industry and as an example, showed the audience the value of data management in optimizing their Dry-Docking procedure.
“Simplify, Improve and Optimize your IT Solutions.” - Where Rolf Nøstdah | Sales Manager at The Ship AS, presented their solution for improved data registration and information access from various systems in a simpler and more streamlined way, with a focus on the difficult to track area of in-port operations.
“How to build a solid digital strategy by leveraging your fleet’s data.”- Where Dionysis Asimakopoulos | Growth Manager at Kongsberg Digital, presented the crucial role of data collection in establishing a digital strategy for a shipping company, enabling enhanced safety, flexibility, and long-term viability.

One important element discussed during the event was that of collaboration, not only between vendors and clients but also among different vendors themselves. As John Vandoros, the General Manager of ORIANI, said regarding how digitalization with take-off in Greece; “The answer is through developing relations and getting people face to face to discuss the real issues of the end user...”. Meaning that, the most effective way to understand and resolve today’s complex maritime issues is by cultivating relationships and enabling a comprehensive understanding of the shipping companies’ requirements. As he also pointed out: “Frank discussions and realistic promises by the software companies (to their clients) will build trust and allow time for them to deliver the right solution”. In other words, by fostering a culture of transparency and realistic expectations, software companies can build strong relationships with shipping companies. This will allow them the necessary time and space to develop and deliver solutions that are truly tailored to today's market needs.

Day 2:

Session #4 on "Crew & Training" with moderator Katerina Skourtanioti, Managing Director at VENLYS, emphasizing the importance of human capital in maritime operations and its efficient training. Notable presentations included insights on:

“Next Generation Safety Culture Program” - Didrik Svendsen | CEO, Sayfr presented how SAYFR has developed a state-of-the-art platform to cultivate behaviors - all based in science. He discussed the importance of data-driven interventions and how Value Propositions for the Culture Change Processes have changed dramatically over the last few decades.
“Gamification Training for the Industry.” - Felix Gorbatsevich | CEO of PaleBlue explored the application of gaming engagement principles to workforce training and development, emphasizing the importance of enjoyable, interactive, and effective eLearning methods amongst a variety of digital training options, including Digital Interactive Training and Virtual Reality.
“Data in action: optimized decision making in crewing” - Agapitos Diakogiannis | CEO & Co-founder of Seafair presented his solution and the value of digital approach to crew management, emphasizing how systems should serve humans and not the opposite.

And closing, Session #5 "Crew Health & Safety" with moderator Constantinos Triantafyllou, the Head of Strategy & Development at HELMEPA, outlined the importance of our seafarers’ safety and healthcare in efficient maritime operations.

“Enhancing Maritime Safety with Dimeq Solutions” - Øystein Bondal | CEO of Dimeq presented his wearable sensor that connects to a smart platform with Man Overboard detection, location communication and a safety system that could lead to the transition to “smart vessels”.
“Digital Management of ships medicine chest”- Geir Østrem | CEO of ShipMed AS, addressed the challenge of ensuring vessels always maintain adequate and compliant medical supplies and equipment onboard, regardless of flag, voyage, or crew size. ShipMed’s solution can proactively manage and document compliance, keeping vessels ahead of existing regulatory requirements.
“Pioneering Maritime Healthcare with Data-Driven Innovation” - Laura Benzonana, PhD| CEO at Health4Crew, explained how shipping companies can take a proactive rather than a reactive approach to crew health and wellbeing, and how by choosing the right systems, you are able to access and analyze crew health data quickly in the event of a medical emergency.

As the experienced Capt. Dimitris Aslanoglou from Eletson Corporation wisely pointed out at the event’s closing remarks “...happier crews are safer crews...”.

To conclude, this gathering was not only about Norwegian companies showcasing maritime digital solutions. The summit provided Norwegian representatives the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the intricacies of the Greek shipping industry. Likewise, Greek shipping executives had the chance to gain insights from Norwegian maritime solutions and operations through case studies and new technologies. An environment was created where both could engage in constructive dialogue and gain a deeper understanding of each other's operational dynamics.

UN, Aid NGOs Dismiss Biden Administration's Floating Pier for Gaza

Aid agencies and UN officials have panned the Biden administration's plan to build a temporary pier in Gaza for emergency relief, arguing that trucking from Egypt would be more efficient - and that the same goods are already waiting on trucks at the border.

“When I read about the pier, my reaction was: really?” Deepmala Mahla of CARE International told Devex. “First air drops, and now a floating pier, all when we have hundreds and thousands of [trucks with] food and other required material just miles away from the border, all ready to get in?”

According to Mohammed Abdel-Fadeil Shousha, governor of Egypt's North Sinai province, there are currently about 7,000 aid trucks waiting to transit an Israeli-operated checkpoint and enter Gaza from the south. The Israeli government has clamped down on aid truck transits for weeks, and it recently cut off all Northern Gaza access for UNRWA, the UN Palestinian aid agency. Israel accuses UNRWA of harboring members of terrorist group Hamas.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza in order to head off an impending famine.

"The only efficient and effective way to move heavy goods is by road. It requires an exponential increase in commercial goods," said Guterres on Sunday, speaking during a diplomatic trip to Cairo.

Maritime transport can move far heavier goods than road transport can, but the volume is dependent upon port infrastructure. Since Gaza lacks commercial seaport infrastructure within its own borders, and its borders are closed, the White House has organized a sealift effort to deliver aid via a novel maritime route. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and Military Sealift Command will install a floating causeway and a receiving platform for lightering off Gaza's coast. This Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) operation is in motion and should be in place within 60 days. No American boots will touch the ground, the White House insists. The total cost has not been released.

Commercial port infrastructure is already available and could be utilized, aid advocates say, if Israel would allow final-mile trucking past the land border. The full-service container terminal at Port Said is just four hours from Gaza, and the small multipurpose port of Arish is less than an hour from the crossing - but both are on the wrong side of the border.

"[The food crisis is] not due to the lack of supplies, and it’s not due to the lack of partners who want to bring them in," Mercy Corps VP of Policy Kate Phillips-Barrasso told Devex. "It’s entirely due to the conditions that have been set with the entry of aid in through those land crossings — some of which, I might add, would not be different than the aid that would enter through a maritime corridor."

The decision to limit truck crossings lies in part with Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir. In public comments, Ben Gvir has advocated restricting food and medical aid deliveries to Gaza until after Hamas agrees to release its remaining Israeli hostages. In late February, after a failed truck convoy operation, he argued that allowing humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip is "madness" until the last Israeli abductees are safely returned.

END LIVE CARGO SHIPPING

Australia Reports Large Number of Cattle Deaths Aboard Livestock Carrier

Australian authorities are investigating a large number of cattle deaths aboard a live export vessel, the latest incident that yet again puts focus on exports of livestock by sea. Animal rights groups have long called for the end to all live exports and coincidentally today a new report again highlighted the perceived issues in the trade.

By law, exporters must report to Australian authorities when mortality rates exceed half a percent of the shipment or three animals. The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) acknowledges it received a voluntary notification of livestock moralities aboard livestock carrier Brahman Express, which is currently on its return voyage to Australia. Unlike many livestock carriers, the vessel which is operated by Vroon, based in the Netherlands, was purpose-built in 2002 versus the older, converted ships. Registered in Luxembourg, the vessel is 5,600 dwt.

Shipping records show the vessel left Darwin on March 15 and was in Indonesia from March 19 to 24. After making a stop in Singapore, it is returning to Darwin where it is expected at the end of the month. The ship appears to regularly run the route between Australia and Indonesia, and although it was not reported how many animals were aboard, the vessel has a capacity of around 4,500 feeder cattle or 2,200 heavier-weight cattle.

“Prior to departure, the department undertook pre-export inspections to ensure that the livestock met requirements under the Export Control Act 2020 and importing-country requirements,” said DAFF in the statement. It added that although there is no suggestion that exotic animal disease is involved, it is investigating the incident as per normal procedures and as a matter of priority.

DAFF did not reveal the number of moralities, although Bloomberg quoted a spokesperson from Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) confirming that at least 100 animals had perished. ALEC added that the initial assumptions show the deaths could have been caused by Botulism, with the affected animals coming from a single property.

Despite the complaints from animal rights groups, live export remains a large trade. It is estimated that in the European Union, the trade amounts to more than $1.5 billion annually. Australia is Indonesia's biggest supplier of live cattle, shipping around 400,000 animals worth around $400 million to the country annually. In February, Indonesia issued permits to import around 650,000 head of Australian cattle this year.

In April last year, New Zealand banned all exports of livestock by sea owing to the rising cases of mortality and in a move intended to protect the country’s reputation for world-leading animal welfare standards. Australian groups are calling for similar regulations but so far Australia while imposing added restrictions on the trade has not stopped it.

The German animal welfare organization Animal Welfare Foundation together with the French environmental organization Robin des Bois, today published a new report highlighting what they called “serious deficiencies and dangers.”

The groups report that the number of licensed carriers is down from 78 to 64 in the EU over the past three years, but they still call the vessels “substandard” and cite overcrowding and other poor conditions. They report that only four of the vessels licensed by the EU were built for the trade while the others were converted after around 30 years of service. They calculate the average age of the carriers is 43 years and said half the vessels are in higher risk registries, ranked as black flags by the Paris Mou.

The groups said the European Union and Commission must take responsibility. They are again calling for the European Union to increase regulations and end the trade.

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment