The livestock carrier Spiridon II, carrying 2,853 cows and a crew of 20, remains quarantined off Turkey after departing from Montevideo, Uruguay, on September 19. The vessel, which has been at sea for over 50 days, is unable to unload its cargo due to issues surrounding the ear tags that verify the animals’ origin and health.
On November 9, additional fodder was loaded onto the ship, but it was subsequently evacuated from port, and reports indicate that 48 cows have already died. Uruguay, South America’s second-largest livestock exporter, shipped 265,000 cattle in the first eight months of 2025, primarily to Turkey, Israel, and Morocco.
Originally a Russian cargo ship, the Spiridon II was converted into a livestock carrier in 2011 and is flagged under Togo. The ship has faced numerous detentions since 2009, with inspections revealing 167 deficiencies related to safety and operational standards. Despite these issues, it was approved by the EU for livestock transport until mid-2024.
Discussions are reportedly ongoing to reroute the Spiridon II and deliver the animals to Ukraine, as noted by the animal welfare organization Robin des Bois.
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