Ship Suspected of Carrying 2,100 Tons of Toxic Waste Finally Docks

A Turkish-flagged ship, Moliva XA443A, suspected of carrying toxic waste, was permitted to dock at Albania's main port on Friday.

Authorities initially barred the vessel from entering Durres, located 33 kilometers (20 miles) west of Tirana, after a watchdog organization raised concerns about its cargo.

For nearly a week, the ship remained anchored offshore until prosecutors ordered the unloading and inspection of its containers to assess potential environmental risks .

Basel Action Network Flags Potentially Hazardous Waste

The Seattle-based Basel Action Network (BAN), an environmental NGO, had flagged the ship to Albanian authorities in August, following information from a whistleblower.

The group suspected the ship was transporting approximately 2,100 tons of toxic dust, a byproduct from pollution control filters in the steel industry.

BAN believes the dust originated from an Albanian company and may have been illegally shipped to Albania from Kosovo and Germany . The organization's report triggered concern over the potential environmental hazards, prompting Albania's prosecutor's office to seize the cargo and demand thorough lab tests.

Detour Raises Questions on Hazardous Waste Disposal

This case highlights an ongoing international issue concerning hazardous waste disposal. The containers originally left Durres in July, intended for Thailand, according to BAN.

After Thailand refused the shipment and alerted Singapore, the containers were redirected to a Turkish port before being loaded onto the Moliva XA443A, which then briefly docked in Italy before heading back to Albania.

Customs documentation lists the cargo as iron oxide, though Albanian media reports and BAN warn it may contain potentially toxic substances.

Political Disputes and Calls for Transparency

The arrival of the Moliva XA443A has fueled political controversy in Albania, with opposition figures accusing the government of engaging in illegal hazardous waste trafficking.

Prime Minister Edi Rama responded in Parliament in September, claiming the cargo's documents were verified and that iron oxide is not classified as toxic in European catalogs, which Albania uses for environmental standards.

Environment Minister Mirela Kumbaro urged calm, stressing that while the cargo is labeled hazardous, "hazardous waste does not mean toxic" waste.

In response to public concerns, BAN has called on Albania's authorities to conduct a transparent public inspection and sampling of the containers to ensure accountability. The NGO also criticized Albania's approach to hazardous waste policies, highlighting that Albania's bid to join the European Union could be compromised if it does not align with EU regulations.

BAN advocates that Albania, while aspiring to join the 27-nation bloc, should adopt stricter waste management standards, including a ban on hazardous waste exports to developing countries.

Albania's Ministry of Tourism and Environment has pledged to assist with the investigation. The containers will be taken to an agency in Porto Romano, about 6 kilometers (4 miles) away from Durres, for detailed inspection.

This contains reporting from The Associated Press