Working Conditions Aboard the Westbridge-Explorer

On November 1, 2025, the cargo ship 'Westbridge Explorer', overloaded with chromium ore, ran aground at the entrance of the access channel leading to the Port of Quelimane in the Martibune area, located in the Inhassunge district. The vessel had recently departed from the port after taking on unspecified quantities of chromium ore, intended for transfer to another ship in the Indian Ocean for onward shipping. A response team from the maritime administration in Zambezia has visited the site to assess the situation, noting that the ship's excessive load contributed to its inability to navigate the canal's strong currents, which ultimately resulted in the grounding. As a consequence, the 'Westbridge Explorer' has begun leaking chromium into the surrounding waters, creating significant pollution issues. The ship remains hard aground and partially submerged. A multisectoral response brigade has been mobilized to address this environmental crisis, with authorities promising swift action to mitigate the damage caused to the marine ecosystem. The visible pollution, noted for its chromium and hydrocarbons, raises concerns about potential fish mortality in the region. Maritime officials are currently evaluating the situation and are in the process of identifying urgent solutions. Alarmingly, the vessel was uninsured, and there were no adequate measures in place during loading, which allowed for the excessive weight. The operator, Indo-Africa, primarily engages in agricultural exports and now faces scrutiny for this incident. More details can be found in the report with photo: https://mznews.co.mz/en/navio-com-peso-excessivo-encalhado-no-porto-de-quelimane-ha-um-mes/