PERTH: A ship carrying thousands of livestock has finally docked in Australia after being stranded in Red Sea for a month amid Houthi attacks.
About 16,500 sheep and cattle have been on the ship named MV Bahijah since January 5, when it sailed for the Middle East from the western Australian port of Fremantle.
After two weeks of journey the Australian government ordered it to return back due to the ongoing Yemeni Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
Concern grew for the well-being of the animals on the ship. It finally docked at Fremantle on Thursday, 25 days after it had started its journey from the same port.
Authorities are now forming contingency plans for how to safely offload and quarantine the livestock.
Authorities had sent two veterinarians onto the vessel to inspect the animals, but they found no health in the livestock.
Beth Cookson, Australia’s chief veterinary officer said that the livestock are in good condition and have appropriate care and supervision. He added that the team of vets has also confirmed that there are no signs of disease in the livestock on board the ship.
The authorities are currently assessing an application to re-export the animals. The livestock will likely be exported next month through the MV Bahijah. But the ship this time might sail around Africa to access the Suez Canal ports, avoiding the Red Sea. The ship has to cover thousands of miles and more than a week to reach the final destination.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the MV Bahijah moves under the flag of the Marshall Islands and is carrying the livestock for Israeli-based export company Bassem Dabbah.
