Human Rights Groups Block Cargo Ship Allegedly Transporting Explosives For Israel

The MV Kathrin, a small cargo ship registered in Portugal, is under inquiry by human rights organizations for allegedly transporting explosives to Israel.

After being denied docking access at Namibia, the Balkans, and now Malta, the ship’s crew is struggling to find a port for essential services.

Amnesty International recently urged Montenegrin authorities to deny the Kathrin entry, causing the vessel to head toward Slovenia and Croatia.

However, it ultimately headed westward toward the Mediterranean. The ship, managed from Germany, is a tween-deck heavy lift capable of transporting around 400 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) and has been en route since late July, when it loaded cargo at the Hai Phong port in Vietnam.

Activists began targeting the vessel in August, claiming it was carrying eight containers of RDX Hexogen explosives.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, reiterated these claims, saying that the materials may be used in the attacks on Gaza.

However, no information is available on how the cargo will reach Israel.

Malta has joined other countries in denying ship docking rights. A government spokesperson confirmed that Kathrin’s request for a crew change and refuelling services was denied after the activist group Moviment Graffitti said that allowing the ship to enter would make Malta involved in alleged genocide in Palestine.

Amnesty International stated that international humanitarian law prohibits all nations from transferring weapons to parties involved in armed conflicts if there is a clear risk of contributing to war crimes.

They called for a weapons ban on both Israel and Hamas but said that they had no idea how the supplies aboard the Kathrin would reach Israel.

After a failed attempt to dock in Montenegro, the vessel was said to have changed its AIS signal to “by order” as it left the Adriatic Sea. It arrived at Malta’s anchorage on October 7 but is still without a clear destination despite increasing pressure from activists.

Moviment Graffitti has urged Portugal, the ship’s flag state, to take action against the Kathrin and remove its registration.

The group says that failing to prevent the vessel from entering Maltese waters would not only violate international humanitarian law but would also involve the Maltese government in the ongoing violence in Palestine.

Per various sources, the MV Kathrin is transporting dangerous items that could facilitate military operations in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Moviment Graffitti said that Israel’s actions constituted a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people and highlighted the massive loss of life, with over 42,600 Palestinians confirmed dead, including at least 16,765 children.

Reference: Newsbook

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