Criminal syndicates delay vessel in Moz

It would appear that the
criminal syndicates involved
in illegal export of exclusive
products out of Mozambique
are still busy, with a major
find of suspect containerised
cargo in the port of Pemba.
Willing co-operation
by Chin Tat, owner’s
representative of Pacific
International Line (PIL) in
SA, and Guenole Mordin
of SDV AMI in Maputo,
Mozambique (ships agents
for PIL), revealed to FTW
that the container ship, Kota
Mawar, was prevented from
sailing in the northern port
of Pemba.
This as she was about to
depart with 161 x 20-foot
(6-metre) containers full of
unprocessed timber.
The sailing was delayed
by arguments over who was
responsible for the cost of
removing the containers of
wood. However, according
to Tat, this request for
unloading was satisfied.
And, said Nordin: “We
have since received the
appropriate paperwork from
customs, and the vessel has
now sailed.”
Mozambique police
have announced that
they have made another
discovery. In a parallel
operation, the authorities
found 29 containers on
the docks, some of which
contained ivory.
The authorities are still
searching the port for more
illegal exports.
Although the PIL-owned
Kota Manwar was the carrier
of the suspect timber export,
the Mozambican authorities
have indicated that the line
was not involved in the
criminal activities.