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Albanian officials have stopped a Turkish-flagged ship, Moliva XA443A, from entering Durres port on suspicion of carrying hazardous waste.
The intervention followed a warning from the Basel Action Network (BAN), a Seattle-based environmental NGO, which informed officials after receiving information about the cargo.
On October 27, 2024, prosecutors directed customs and police to seize the 102 containers aboard the ship, which are estimated to contain about 2,100 metric tons of waste from pollution control filters used in the steel sector.
The containers were returned to Albania after a failed attempt to deliver them to Thailand, where authorities refused entry because the shipment was not authorized.
The hazardous material has become an international concern after being spotted across the route, which included stops in South Africa and Singapore.
These regions have been dealing with an influx of waste from developed nations, which has raised concerns about illegal dumping practices.
Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the government in a recent parliamentary session, claiming that the shipment’s documentation was verified and that iron oxide is not classified as toxic waste under European laws.
Despite this, opposition parties in Albania have accused the government of involvement in the trafficking of hazardous substances.
The seizure order issued by the prosecutors cites rules that prohibit document falsification and illegal export. The containers will be kept sealed and monitored around the clock while the investigations are underway.
BAN’s executive director, Jim Puckett, is asking for transparent testing of the cargo’s contents.
He urged authorities to use independent laboratories to ensure the public can trust the results. Puckett also discussed the need for responsible waste management, especially because Albania aims to align its policies with those of the European Union.
References: Bloomberg, AP News
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