Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Nm-Cherry-Blossom

A sealed bid auction has commenced for the contentious 55,000 tons of Saharan phosphate aboard the bulkcarrier 'NM Cherry Blossom', which has been detained at the Port Elizabeth/Ngqura outer anchorage since May 2017. This auction began on March 19, 2018, and is scheduled to continue for a period of 30 calendar days. The phosphate cargo is alleged to have been unlawfully extracted from the disputed territory of Western Sahara. The situation escalated last year when the vessel made a stop in the Eastern Cape while en route to New Zealand, prompting legal action from the Polisario Front, a movement claiming representation for the people of Western Sahara. In a significant ruling, the Port Elizabeth High Court issued a sale order in February 2018, paving the way for this auction.

On May 1, 2017, the bulk carrier 'Cherry Blossom' was detained by South African officials upon its arrival at the anchorage of Port Elizabeth. This vessel was transporting a substantial cargo of 50,000 tons of phosphate when it was intercepted, following claims of illegality made by the Polisario Front. The phosphate originated from Saharan Upwelling, Laayoune, amidst ongoing disputes between the Polisario Front and Morocco, highlighting the complex geopolitical tensions affecting maritime operations in the region. This incident serves as another reminder of the challenges faced in the shipping industry due to conflicting territorial claims.