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Concerns grow for animals on broken down livestock carrier

Animal welfare groups are asking the Australian government to probe the livestock carrier, Ocean Outback. The 2010-built vessel broke down on December 29 while departing Western Australia with a cargo of 13,000 livestock bound for Israel.

The ship, owned by Wellard Live Exports and chartered by Otway Livestock Exports, suffered a cylinder malfunction in one of its two engines.

The Ocean Outback returned to port, but its broken engine has seen it unable to depart again.

The contract to send the animals to Israel has since been cancelled, and it remains unclear where the animals will now be sent.

A total of 20 animals have died in the 10 days that the vessel has been berthed back in Fremantle.

Australia’s chief vet has said the government is closely monitoring the situation.

The Ocean Outback‘s problems compound a disastrous few days for shipowner Wellard, with another of its vessels, Ocean Swagman, also in for repairs.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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