Australia: Stranded Livestock Carrier Resumes Voyage

Wellard The livestock export ship MV Ocean Outback, which spent almost two weeks in Australias port of Perth due to engine troubles, departed for South East Asia in the morning hours of January 10, carrying more than 5,500 cattle. In the period of ten days which the vessel, owned by livestock ship operator Wellard Group, spent in port after it was forced to dock on December 29, three cattle out of 5,600, and 30 sheep out of 7,500 died. Prior to the vessels departure, Australias Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, working closely with the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), approved a proposal by the exporter to manage livestock on board the MV Ocean Outback. Under this proposal, the sheep, originally destined for Israel, were unloaded at Fremantle, while the cattle remained on board for export to South East Asia. The inspection of all animals on board the vessel by departmental and Australian Government accredited veterinarians alongside independent experts, conducted on January 9, showed that there are no concerns for the welfare of the animals and that they were found to be in excellent condition. AMSA said that the vessel currently complies with all AMSA requirements for on board livestock services and travel to South East Asia. World Maritime News Staff