Suspicious Cargo: Albania Seizes Ship in International Waste Scandal
In a dramatic development at Durres port, Albania seizes a ship carrying suspected toxic cargo after it fails to reach Thailand.
The Turkish-flagged vessel Moliva XA443A, hovering mysteriously a kilometre offshore, is now at the centre of an international environmental crisis. Prosecutors are immediately examining its controversial cargo.
Global Chase: From Disappearing Ships to Whistleblower Revelations
In a twist worthy of a maritime thriller, the 175-tonne vessel vanished from radar systems off South Africa’s coast – a classic sign of deliberately disabled transponders.
A whistleblower’s testimony points to Danish shipping giant Maersk Line. The whistleblower claims two ships carried electric arc furnace dust, a heavy metal-laden waste product, from Durres to Thailand. Singapore’s port authorities later halted both vessels, while Chinese authorities previously blocked a third ship.
Local Players and Global Stakes: Following the Toxic Trail
At the heart of this environmental drama is an Albanian firm, Sokolaj Sh.p.k, which prosecutors have identified as the shipment’s exporter.
The trail leads to Kurum International, which operates former communist-era metallurgical facilities in Elbasan. However, the company has denied involvement.
As Albania seizes ship and prepares to examine 102 containers, environmental watchdog Jim Puckett of Basel Action Network (BAN) has arrived to monitor the situation, highlighting the global implications of this toxic waste trade worth billions in annual revenue.
