Albania Probes Unauthorized Shipment of Toxic Dust
Albanian authorities urgently investigate how 800 tons of alleged hazardous industrial waste, known as “Albania toxic dust,” were shipped from its port without proper authorisation. The cargo initially bound for Southeast Asia is now being sent back to Europe amidst a growing scandal. Environmental groups and officials have raised alarms over the waste, which reportedly contains dangerous substances, and are demanding answers on how it was allowed to leave Albania.
Toxic Cargo Sparks International Concern
The situation escalated when an A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S vessel, carrying some of the suspect cargo, made a sudden and unusual manoeuvre by offloading the containers in Singapore after initially bypassing the port. According to marine cargo tracking data, 40 containers allegedly carrying “Albania toxic dust” will be transferred to an MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA vessel for their return to Europe, with arrival expected at Italy’s Gioia Tauro port in late September. Another 60 containers on a separate Maersk ship will be returned to Europe later this month.
Singaporean authorities have confirmed they are facilitating the return of these containers under the United Nations Basel Convention, which regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. The National Environment Agency and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore have worked closely with Maersk to ensure the containers are returned to their origin country.
Global Response and Environmental Concerns Over Albania Toxic Dust
The international journey of these containers has sparked widespread concern and action from various countries. The US-based nonprofit Basel Action Network first alerted Thai authorities to the potentially dangerous contents heading for their port. Thailand promptly refused the shipment, triggering further investigations. South African officials also monitored the ships as they passed near Cape Town, readying a complete inspection that was ultimately unnecessary after Maersk clarified that the vessels wouldn’t be docking there.
In Albania, the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the European Union Anti-Fraud Office thoroughly investigated the origin of the “Albania toxic dust” and the logistics involved in its unauthorised transport. The waste originates from international companies near a metallurgical complex in Elbasan. This hazardous furnace dust, a byproduct of recycling scrap steel, contains toxic metal oxides such as cadmium and chromium, posing significant health and environmental risks.
As the investigation continues, officials emphasise the importance of adhering to international conventions and domestic laws regarding the safe handling and transporting hazardous waste. The “Albania toxic dust” incident highlights the ongoing challenges and global implications of illegal waste trade, particularly for developing countries in Southeast Asia.
