Anna-Marra Vessel Reviews and Specifications

Discussions are actively underway to facilitate the transportation of 56,000 sheep to the Middle East using the vessel 'Anna Marra' following the unexpected stranding of the 'Al Kuwait' in Fremantle due to a coronavirus outbreak. The 'Al Kuwait' docked in Fremantle on May 22, carrying a multinational crew of 48, with 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported by May 28. Those infected, along with many of their fellow crew members, are currently in hotel quarantine, while a minimal team of 10 remains aboard. With the northern summer live export ban set to commence on June 1, the urgency to transport the sheep to the Middle East has intensified, necessitating an exemption from the federal agriculture department. Western Australia’s Agriculture Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, disclosed that negotiations are progressing to utilize the 'Awassi Express', now identified as 'Anna Marra', which is currently situated not far off the Fremantle coast. This vessel previously incited controversy due to mass sheep fatalities caused by heat stress during a journey in 2017, leading to the imposition of the ban. Sending the sheep to local abattoirs is being considered a final alternative. Additionally, local personnel who boarded the vessel prior to the detection of infections, including a Fremantle Port Authority pilot and a trainee who assisted in docking the ship, are now in home isolation awaiting test results anticipated on May 29.

On April 27, 2023, the livestock carrier 'Awassi Express,' which has been at the heart of significant national controversy regarding live animal exports, departed from Fremantle port. The vessel, which had been docked for nearly three weeks without any livestock on board, is now en route to Broome, with an expected arrival on May 1. Once there, the ship is slated to load cattle for transport to Southeast Asia. The 'Awassi Express' arrived in Fremantle just as animal rights activists shared distressing footage depicting the suffering of sheep on previous voyages to the Middle East during extreme heat conditions. Initially, the vessel was expected to transport another batch of sheep; however, it faced delays when the Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA) identified multiple issues and mandated enhancements to the ship's ventilation and watering systems. Reports indicate that the sheep originally meant for the 'Awassi Express' are now intended to be loaded onto the 'Al Messilah,' which is currently in port. The 'Al Messilah' itself gained notoriety in 2017 after a tragic incident in July 2016 where numerous sheep perished during transit. Before loading any animals, the AMSA has decreed that the 'Al Messilah' must have an internal tank and vent pipe fitted. In light of these ongoing issues, State Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan is exploring legal avenues to determine whether the Western Australian government has the authority to impose charges on live exporters for voyages commencing in Fremantle. This inquiry is part of a broader investigation by the State Agriculture Department pertaining to a separate incident last August involving the 'Awassi Express,' where it was reported that over 2,400 sheep lost their lives. Both incidents involved the Perth-based shipping company Emanuel Exports. The delay in animal loading is likely to impose a significant financial burden on Emanuel, as they incur costs for the upkeep and feeding of sheep currently in quarantine.

The livestock carrier 'Awassi Express' has officially been granted permission to set sail following significant enhancements to the ventilation systems within its sheep pens. Despite this progress, Emanuel Exports, the West Australian company responsible for the shipment, still must secure an export permit from the Department of Agriculture before embarking on its planned journey. The initial plan involved transporting 65,000 sheep to the Middle East aboard the 'Awassi Express', but those intentions were halted after the vessel did not meet inspection standards set forth by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). Recently docked in Fremantle, the ship has been undergoing essential repairs to ensure compliance. In response to directives from the Department of Agriculture, Emanuel Exports has committed to a reduced quota of sheep for its Middle Eastern shipments for the foreseeable future. Moreover, to enhance transparency, the company will permit an independent observer to accompany the livestock, who will provide daily welfare reports back to officials in Canberra. AMSA anticipates that the sheep might begin boarding the 'Awassi Express' later this week, contingent upon receiving the necessary agricultural approvals. However, regardless of the 'Awassi Express' attaining AMSA clearance, there is a possibility that Emanuel Exports could choose to utilize the 'Al Messilah', another live export ship currently docked at Fremantle, for the upcoming consignment. The 'Al Messilah' possesses a permit for transporting livestock, yet it requires minor modifications to its internal tank and vent pipe—adjustments that are unrelated to the livestock areas—before it can embark on its journey.