At least 20 ships trapped in the Suez Canal traffic jam are carrying livestock, raising concerns about the safety of the animals on the fourth consecutive day of blocked maritime traffic, according to a report on Friday.
The farm vessels – some of which were loaded in Spain and Romania weeks ago – “all appear to be trapped at various points in the channel,” a spokesperson for the tracking website Marine Traffic and other sources told The Guardian.
“My biggest fear is that animals will run out of food and water and get stuck on the ships because they cannot be unloaded elsewhere for paper reasons,” said Gerit Weidinger, European Union coordinator for Animals International.
“It’s basically a ticking time bomb for biological hazards to animals and crew and everyone involved,” she said.
The floating farms have been stranded since the 1,300-meter Ever Given was wedged diagonally into the canal near Egypt on Monday.
About 200 ships – including a Russian warship, bulk carriers and tankers – are still waiting to be liberated from the congested waterway.
Officials said there were no concerns about the animals’ immediate welfare, but Weidinger feared they would die if the trip was delayed much longer.
“Getting trapped on board means there is a risk of starvation, dehydration, injury, trash build-up so they cannot lie down, and also the crew can leave the dead animal bodies in the [Suez] channel, ”she said.
Stranded livestock vessels include the Omega Star and the Unimar that left Spain in mid-March, according to the outlet, which did not specify what kind of animals are on board.
According to the NGO Animals International, five of the ships collected animals in Spain and nine had loaded them in Romania earlier this month.
Spanish officials said on Thursday that they have halted the transport of livestock to areas where access to the canal is essential.
“We cannot tell you anything about these ships, but due to the blockage of the Suez Canal as a result of the cargo ship running aground, the Spanish government has ordered that no animal transport ships bound for Saudi Arabia and Jordan are allowed to be loaded . until the canal can be navigated normally, ”said a representative from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture.
Romanian agricultural officials have not returned a request for comment, according to the newspaper