M.V. Bahijah – livestock carrier
The diversion of vessels away from the Red Sea has many unintended consequences, most of course being logistical and financial. However, when it comes to cruise ships and livestock carriers, much more is at stake given the microscope that both sectors live under. One such livestock carrier diverted last month was the Israeli owned Bahijah while on passage from Australia to Jordan.
Built by Nanindah Mutiara Shipyard, Batam, Indonesia in 2010.
Owned and operated by Bassem Dabah Shipping Inc.
Managed by Korkyra Shipping Ltd. Croatia
LOA 136.5m
Beam 21.6m
GRT 13,016 tons
DWT 7,907 MT
Previous name: Ocean Outback
The vessel sailed from the port of Fremantle on January 5 destined for Aqaba, Jordan with around 15,000 cattle and sheep (mostly sheep) after Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries (DAFF) and Forestry (DAFF) issued a number of directives. A condition of sailing was the filing of contingency arrangements should the vessel have reason to divert including the loading of extra fodder and veterinary supplies above and beyond Australia’s regulatory standards for the “Export of Livestock”. In addition, preliminary voyage planning was filed to include a port call in East London, South Africa, in the event of a deviation via the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea.
On January 16, given the number of attacks on shipping, the decision was made to order Bahijah to avoid the Red Sea and take the Cape route to the Mediterranean. In Australia, there was an outcry from animal rights activists fearful of the impacts of an extended voyage and on January 20 the vessel was ordered by the DAFF to return to Australia. Explaining the decision, a statement was issued underlining that “the welfare of the livestock and protecting Australia’s biosecurity remain the department’s top priorities.”
Unfortunately, on her return to Freemantle, the vessel was stuck in legal limbo between attempts by the exporter to off-load the vessel and the Australian government’s concern for enforcement of the country’s strict bio-security regulations – despite confirmation that the animals on board were in good health.
Opponents of live animal exports are now calling on Australian exporters to voluntarily suspend shipments to destinations that are in or near to regional conflicts. Neighbouring New Zealand introduced a ban on live animal exports at the end of April 2023. This came after a high profile incident in 2023 when a livestock carrier carrying nearly 6,000 head of cattle was lost in a typhoon along with 41 crew members. The current Australian government has pledged to end live animal export by 2025 but the legal fight continues.