What Crew Members Say About Polaris-2

The vessel known as the 'Polaris 2' has been officially prohibited from docking at Santa Cruz de Tenerife due to mounting protests from residents concerned about the foul odors emanating from the ship. Scheduled to stop at Santa Cruz for vital fodder resupply during its transit from Vila do Conde to Port Said, the 'Polaris 2' was anchored off Santa Cruz on April 24, 2017. However, it departed the area the following day, April 25, continuing its journey elsewhere. Prior to its Santa Cruz visit, the ship had faced similar bans from La Luz and Las Palmas ports, driven by complaints about its notorious reputation for carrying cattle in distressing conditions. A veterinary inspection conducted in 2016 revealed a tragic toll, with at least 300 out of several thousand cattle perishing on board. Disturbingly, the deceased cattle were disposed of overboard during their passage from the Canary Islands to Gibraltar, further highlighting the contentious practices associated with this vessel.

A cattle transport ship, loaded with thousands of heifers en route from Chile to China, was turned away by Fijian authorities and sent back into international waters. The vessel cited a shortage of fuel, drinking water, and fodder supplies as it attempted to dock in Fiji. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in the livestock shipping industry, as the ship seeks alternative solutions while adhering to international maritime regulations. For further details, visit http://www.beefcentral.com/live-export/chilean-cattle-ship-refused-entry-to-fiji/

On July 6, 2010, the vessel 'Al Mahmoud 2', with IMO number 8417625, experienced a significant fire incident while undergoing conversion into an animal carrier at a shipyard in Beirut, which commenced in February. The blaze, ignited by an overheated generator that caused a diesel fuel tank to catch fire, required the intervention of six fire engines. The firefighting teams worked diligently for over an hour to extinguish the flames and secure the area.