Activists Track Cargo Ship Over Allegations of Transporting Explosives to Israel

For over three months, activists have been tracking the cargo ship named Kathrin, accusing it of transporting explosives destined for Israel to be used in Gaza. This particular ship has garnered significant attention from advocates, with the crew caught in the middle of the situation. A German NGO, the European Legal Support Center, has filed an emergency motion with the Berlin Administrative Court to block the alleged shipment of explosives to Israel. The group represents Palestinians in Gaza and seeks to halt the delivery of 150,000 kg of RDX explosives, which are used by Israel’s military industry to produce weapons of war.

Various groups, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, have joined in making similar allegations against the Kathrin and calling on governments to deny the vessel entry to their ports. The ship has been turned away from multiple ports, including Namibia, Angola, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Malta. Recent reports suggest that the Kathrin docked at Porto Romano in Albania, where it was partially unloaded. It then traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, where Amnesty International claims the Egyptian government allowed it to dock, although the fate of the cargo remains uncertain.

The activists have also pressured the Portuguese government, the ship’s flag state, to remove it from the country’s vessel registry. The Kathrin has been switching off its AIS transmissions to avoid detection since departing from Malta. Amnesty International has used the situation to call for an immediate arms embargo on Israel and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza. The ongoing efforts of activists have targeted other vessels in the past, but the Kathrin has been the focus of their attention for an extended period.

Source