Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Sea-Rose-1

The livestock carrier Abou Karim IV, registered under the Lebanese flag, is now the focus of an investigation after it allegedly dumped at least 14 deceased cows into the Baltic Sea shortly after departing from Kiel on December 27, 2023. These lifeless animals were subsequently discovered along the shores of Denmark and Sweden, raising serious environmental and legal concerns. The Abou Karim IV was en route from the United States to Ust Luga, carrying a live cargo of cattle, when it is believed some cows perished during the journey. Although maritime regulations permit the disposal of dead animals in open waters, doing so in a landlocked body like the Baltic Sea is expressly prohibited. It appears the crew opted to discard the deceased animals in what they considered a convenient manner instead of taking them to a designated disposal facility at the nearest port. Reports indicate troubling findings concerning the deceased cows, some of which had been shot, had their ears mutilated, and showed signs of distress, with back legs tied together and stomachs slashed open. The latter action suggests an attempt to ensure the carcasses sank quickly, while the removal of earmarks likely aimed to conceal the animals' identities, as police investigations continue. Initial discoveries of the dead cattle were made on December 31, shortly after the vessel arrived in Ust Luga on December 30. Following this port call, the Abou Karim IV continued its voyage to Klaipeda, Lithuania. As of 0500 UTC on January 12, 2024, the ship was navigating the Baltic Sea near Bornholm, heading back towards Kiel before its ultimate destination in Beirut. Authorities have indicated that the master and operators of the Abou Karim IV may soon face legal repercussions for this incident, suggesting that the vessel will likely be detained in Kiel for a thorough investigation. The gravity of the situation and potential charges arising from these actions have drawn considerable media attention, highlighting the ongoing issues surrounding maritime animal transport practices.