Discover the Bahri-Tabuk: Ratings & Maritime News

The Paris-based organization Christians for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) has initiated a legal effort to halt the loading of munitions aboard the Bahri Tabuk at the Fos-sur-Mer port. This vessel is set to transport French weapons to Saudi Arabia, a key player in the ongoing Yemeni conflict. ACAT is rallying civil society and local networks to intervene and prevent the transfer of military supplies to Saudi Arabia. In a related incident, another Saudi vessel, the Bahri Yanbu, left the northern coast of France two weeks prior without any arms after dock workers threatened to impede its entry to Le Havre. ACAT had also pursued legal action against that shipment, asserting that it violated a United Nations treaty as the arms risked being used against civilians in Yemen. The Bahri Tabuk arrived on the afternoon of May 28, 2019, and was scheduled to load its cargo the next day. Initially, the cargo was expected to include electrical transformers. However, the investigative platform Disclose reported that the actual shipment set for loading at the Marseille-Fos port included munitions designated for Caesar howitzers. Human rights organizations have accused Riyadh of employing French-manufactured weapons in violations against civilians in Yemen. While Defence Minister Florence Parly stated she had no information concerning the shipment, a representative from the Saudi shipping company involved denied any plans to transport weapons, claiming the vessel's cargo solely consisted of electricity production units from Siemens, intended for civil use.

In a covert operation, the cargo vessel 'Bahri Tabuk' loaded 18 containers at the port of Cagliari on December 9, 2016. This operation, conducted under the watchful eyes of special forces, firefighters, and technical experts, has come into the spotlight as activists discovered the containers were filled with bombs manufactured in Germany. These weapons were intended for air strikes against Yemeni rebel forces. After loading the explosive cargo, the 'Bahri Tabuk' set sail towards Port Said later that evening, with an estimated arrival time of December 13 at 2 p.m.

On July 23, 2013, the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia, known as Bahri, celebrated the arrival of its latest general cargo vessel, Bahri Tabuk, at the Hyundai MIPO shipyard in South Korea. This impressive vessel boasts a capacity of 26,000 DWT and is the third of six ships delivered under a contract signed with the prestigious shipyard in 2011, amounting to a total investment of SR1,543 million. Bahri has established itself as a global leader in maritime logistics, focusing on the transportation of oil and gas, petrochemicals, general cargo, and dry bulk materials. With a keen eye on the expanding petroleum and petrochemical markets in Saudi Arabia, the company is increasingly reliant on such modern fleets to meet industry demands. Constructed for $70 million each, the new RoCon vessels include cutting-edge features aimed at optimizing operational efficiency. Their design facilitates the transportation of various cargo types, including general, project, and RoRo goods. Equipped with heavy-lift cranes capable of handling 240 tons, these vessels can accommodate a diverse range of shipments. One of the key benefits of these vessels lies in their compact size, which offers enhanced cargo lifting capabilities without compromising on fuel efficiency. Estimates suggest that these new vessels will achieve a remarkable 45% reduction in fuel consumption, thereby significantly lowering operational costs. As Bahri continues to modernize its fleet, the Bahri Tabuk exemplifies the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in maritime transportation.