Irish-Owned Ship Detained In Saudi Arabia

18th February 2016

MV Mainport Cedar detained Credit: mainport.ie

#Shipping - The Irish Times reports that an Irish-owned ship transporting humanitarian supplies has been detained by Arab coalition forces on suspicion of smuggling arms to Yemen.

The MV Mainport Cedar (see Afloat's coverage in 2014), a seismic survey support vessel owned by the Cork-based Mainport Group, was en route across the Mandeb Strait from Djibouti. The ship was carrying communications equipment as well as food and medical supplies for the World Food Programme when it was detained for inspection in Saudi Arabia late last week.

A spokesperson for Mainport said the diversion to the Saudi port of Jizan was a "formality" over paperwork, though Arab forces stated to Sky News Arabia that it alleged the vessel was carrying "military hardware" from Iran.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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