Discover the Moliva: Ratings & Maritime News

A week has passed since the vessel 'Moliva' docked in Albanian waters, and it continues to remain anchored approximately one kilometer off Durrës port, as authorities assess the 2,100 tonnes of suspected toxic waste aboard. The ship, which arrived on November 4, was denied port access by Albanian authorities on October 28, and its status remains unchanged as it waits for official intervention regarding its hazardous cargo. The 'Moliva' is laden with 102 containers suspected to hold electric arc furnace dust, believed to be sourced from the Elbasan steelworks. This material has been classified as toxic waste and mandates stringent handling and storage protocols. Currently, local port authorities, along with judiciary and environmental agencies, are working diligently to find a safe and secure facility for the containers. However, the absence of an appropriate storage solution has halted any plans to relocate these containers within the port itself. Initial documentation submitted to Albanian customs indicated that the cargo consists of iron oxide, for which export had been officially sanctioned. As the situation persists, the looming environmental implications have prompted a collective effort among multiple institutions to ensure the secure management of this potentially hazardous material.

In a significant move on October 28, the Albanian prosecutor’s office ordered the confiscation of suspicious containers onboard the vessel 'Moliva' upon its return to Tirana. This decision follows concerns over hazardous waste, as the ship was previously kept one kilometer away from the bustling port of Durres. The Basel Action Network (BAN), an environmental NGO based in Seattle, raised alarms about the cargo after receiving an anonymous tip in August. It was reported that the 102 containers contained approximately 2,100 tons of steel industry pollution filter dust. The ship initially departed from Durres on July 4, having been chartered by the shipping company Maersk, and was en route to Thailand. Additionally, the NGO worked in collaboration with EARTH, a Thai environmental group, to alert various transit nations about the potentially dangerous shipment.

The controversial vessel 'Moliva' made its way back to the Albanian port of Durres on October 28, 2024, after a tumultuous journey that began in early July. The ship, which was originally set to dispose of hundreds of tonnes of industrial waste in Thailand, has sparked significant concern due to the nature of its cargo. Upon its return, the 'Moliva' carries approximately a hundred containers of waste that some sources suspect to be more hazardous than initially claimed. Documents provided at the outset of the journey indicated that the cargo comprised primarily of iron oxide, a material whose export is generally permitted. However, a whistleblower revealed claims that the shipment contained electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), categorized as toxic waste that requires stringent handling and transportation protocols. Thailand ultimately denied the ship's dock and refused entry for the potentially hazardous materials, prompting the vessel to return to Albania via ports in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Turkiye. As a result, the Durres prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into the possible smuggling of restricted goods. In preparation for the evaluation of the cargo upon arrival on October 28, the prosecutor's office, in collaboration with the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), ordered the seizure of the containers. Authorities plan to safely open the containers and analyze samples to ascertain whether they contain toxic materials. This situation highlights the critical need for comprehensive oversight in international waste transportation as it unfolds in Durres. For a further detailed report, see: https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/28/10/2024/ship-with-suspected-toxic-waste-returns-to-albania