Working Conditions Aboard the Neameh

The cargo ship 'Neameh' was intercepted by Spanish customs officials and the Spanish Navy near Gibraltar on suspicions of cocaine trafficking, revealing an alarming situation aboard. The vessel, which had departed from Colombia on May 4, 2020, was en route to Damietta carrying an astonishing 4,000 cows, all of whom were found in poor conditions. Spanish authorities, including the Health Ministry, prohibited the disembarkation of any cattle or the removal of deceased animals due to severe sanitary concerns. Investigators reported that the stench emanating from the ship was so intense it could be detected from several meters away, rendering the use of sniffer dogs impractical. Customs agents resorted to wearing breathing apparatus to navigate the ship's interior. The conditions for the livestock were dire, with many animals crammed together, resulting in a situation where several had succumbed to death, lying in a mixture of urine, feces, and feed for days. Though the search for illicit drugs was ultimately abandoned, the 'Neameh' was permitted to continue its journey, and by the time it reached Damietta, 34 animals had perished, yet their bodies were not present on board.

On the morning of May 21, 2020, the cargo vessel 'Neameh' was halted while navigating through Gibraltar due to suspicions of illegal drug trafficking. The ship, which was transporting cattle from Cartagena to Damietta, was escorted to Algeciras for a thorough inspection. Despite the extensive search efforts, no illicit substances were discovered on board. Consequently, 'Neameh' was cleared and resumed its journey the next day, May 22, at 9 a.m. The vessel is expected to arrive at its final destination in Damietta on May 29.

On April 7, 2016, the vessel Neameh, expected to deliver over 3,000 live cattle to Dubai, continued to be anchored off the coast of East London following the collapse of its initial export agreement. The Neameh had anchored on April 2 and has since remained stationary as the export broker seeks alternative cattle sources from local and inland suppliers. This situation raises questions about the logistics and viability of live animal exports in the current market.