Report raises concerns over cattle deaths aboard livestock carrier docking in Benghazi

The maritime news outlet MarineLink has reported that the livestock carrier Spiridon II docked at Benghazi Port carrying approximately 2,901 cattle, nearly half of them pregnant, alongside several sick and dead animals.

According to the report, the vessel reached Benghazi on Saturday after spending more than a month anchored off the Turkish coast, where authorities had refused to grant permission for the livestock to be unloaded due to documentation irregularities. MarineLink said the prolonged delay severely worsened the animals’ condition, resulting in the deaths of several newborn calves.

Satellite imagery examined by the outlet shows trucks transporting cattle immediately after the ship’s arrival in Benghazi on 22 November. The Spiridon II then departed the following day, heading towards Alexandria.

MarineLink also cited photos and video footage showing stacks of white bags piled on the vessel’s deck, believed to contain the carcasses of deceased cattle. The bags were no longer visible after the ship left Benghazi Port.

According to the information reported, at least 58 cows died during the voyage, while around 140 gave birth. However, only 50 calves were accounted for, leaving the fate of the remaining newborns unclear.

Animal-welfare organisations expressed deep concern over the reported conditions on board and raised suspicions about possible unlawful disposal of carcasses and waste at sea, particularly after the vessel’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) was switched off several times and the disappearance of the white bags previously spotted on deck.

The organisations have called for an urgent international inquiry led by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), alongside comprehensive veterinary inspections for all surviving livestock — both those still aboard the vessel and those already offloaded in Libya.