Setubal Express unloaded contentious cargo in Malta

The Setubal Express, a Maltese-registered ship intercepted outside Libyan waters last month when cargo deemed irregular was found on board, had to return to Malta to unload the contentious items, sources said.

After the ship representatives contacted Nato, it was established that the irregular cargo consisted of cars, which the UN Sanctions Committee said could serve a dual purpose.

“They are always doubly careful because of the way things could be used if they fall into the wrong hands,” the sources said. For example, there was a rumour that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s followers were putting Red Cross stickers on their planes and throwing mines into the sea under the guise of the humanitarian organisation.

In the circumstances, the Setubal Express captain returned to Malta, unloaded the cars and then proceeded to Libya to deliver humanitarian aid.

Although more than a month has passed since the ship was intercepted, the government had still not heard anything from the UN Security Council after asking for direction on the matter, a government spokesman said.

The Setubal Express was stopped by a Nato vessel on April 14 while en route to Tripoli after suspicions were raised about its cargo. A boarding party from HMS Liverpool noticed what were termed as “irregularities” on the cargo record book. The navy vessel commander stopped the ship from entering Libyan territorial waters and redirect it to Salerno, Italy. The captain however opted to sail to Malta instead. It arrived on April 23, after spending 11 days at sea awaiting instructions.

The Setubal Express, owned by the Malta Motorways of the Sea, had been given clearance before sailing for Tripoli after it was certified to be compliant with all procedures by Malta’s Sanctions Monitoring Committee. Its cargo included motor vehicles, clothing, furniture, spare parts, cement, foodstuffs and raw materials.

The Nato vessel which intercepted the ship however gave a different interpretation to some of the cargo on board when it stopped the ship before entering Libya waters.