A Cameroon-flagged cargoship at the Port of Sligo that was detained following Afloat's coverage of the ship's arrival more than two weeks ago to the north-west port has been released from impoundment today, writes Jehan Ashmore.

According to the Paris MoU, the Sheksna had been placed under detention at the Irish port on 16th October, which coincided on the same day of Afloat's report and two days after the ships arrival from the Mediterranean port of Sfax in Tunisia.

The Paris MoU is an international maritime organization whose mission is to eliminate the operation of sub-standard ships. This is carried out by a harmonized system of port State control including 27 maritime administrations, among which Ireland is a member State.

Afloat earlier today contacted the Department of Transport which commented that the ship was detained under the provisions of the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and that the detention involved the ship's flag state which is Cameroon. The west African nation on the Gulf of Guinea neighbours Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. 

On Tuesday of this week Afloat tracked the 2,769dwt cargoship Sheksna which was noted still berthed at Sligo. This was surprising given the 82m ship has been berthed at the port's Deepwater Quay for almost a fortnight but explained by the ship's impounding carried out by the Irish Marine Survey Office (MSO). 

Afloat contacted the Port of Sligo which confirmed Sheksna had over 2,000 tonnes of olive stone granulate. The cargo was discharged before the MSO impounded the ship.

This afternoon the Port of Sligo informed Afloat that the Sheksna is no longer detained. 

In addition the 26 year old cargoship will sail light (without cargo) tomorrow after noon on the tide.