KUALA LUMPUR – Danish shipping business Ocean7 Projects ApS has clarified that Portugal-flagged vessel MV Kathrin will not be calling any ports in Israel, refuting BDS Malaysia’s claims of the ship carrying military explosives destined for the Zionist regime.
While it confirmed that the MV Kathrin will be making stops in Montenegro and Slovenia as part of its current international voyage from Asia to its final destination in the Adriatic Sea, the company said the vessel is not scheduled to stop in Israel.
It also stressed that its Asian chapter, United O7 Asia Sdn Bhd, whose headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur, has not had “any involvement whatsoever” in the shipment,
Ocean7 also told Scoop said that it is “solely acting” as an agent for MV Kathrin’s owner and should not be considered the proprietor of the vessel.
However, on behalf of the vessel owner, Ocean7 emphasised that as an international shipping operator involved in facilitating commercial shipping trade worldwide, it takes its responsibilities “very seriously”.
This includes abiding by all applicable sanctions and regulations stipulated by relevant international and European Union laws.
“Before entering into any transport agreement, we always ensure that all necessary permits and documents are obtained from the relevant stakeholders and authorities, as is the case with the cargo on the MV Kathrin, which is being shipped legally.
“We categorically reject any allegations to the contrary,” the company said after being contacted by Scoop reporters.
Yesterday, BDS Malaysia, which is the local arm of the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement, accused United O7 Asia of being involved in MV Kathrin’s alleged shipment of 8 containers containing military “destined for Israel”.
Claiming that the vessel is among those “operated” by United O7 Asia, BDS Malaysia said in a statement it is “very perturbed that a company whose project is in violation of international law is allowed to operate in our country”.
The pro-Palestine movement urged for United O7 Asia to immediately stop operating the vessel or unload its “illegal cargo” while calling on Putrajaya to ban the company from operating in Malaysia if it refuses to do any of the above.
Warning that participation in arms transfers to Israel amounts to complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, BDS Malaysia said it will be filing a police report on the matter at the Sentul police headquarters today.
Previously, it was reported that Namibian authorities had refused MV Kathrin permission to dock, following the discovery that one of its consignments on board – RDX hexogen explosives – was destined for Israel.
The explosives are said to be in violation of the Genocide Convention and a United Nations Human Rights Council resolution calling for a military embargo on Israel. – September 13, 2024