Roughly 1,800 head of cattle have been unloaded from a stay export ship at Darwin Port after spending six nights onboard the docked vessel following a significant engine failure.
Key factors:
- A stay export vessel has suffered a significant engine failure at Darwin Port
- The onboard cattle have been unloaded and brought to a quarantine yard south of Darwin
- The federal Division of Agriculture has been monitoring the scenario
The 9 Eagle broke down on Might 15 after being loaded on the port with cattle destined for Indonesia in a cargo organised by Perth-based firm Livestock Delivery Companies.
After practically every week onboard, the federal Division of Agriculture (DAFF) ordered the animals to be taken off the vessel to make sure their ongoing welfare.
The cattle had been unloaded late Sunday night time and brought to a quarantine yard south of Darwin, the place they are going to be held till export.
Northern Territory Livestock Exporters Affiliation chief govt Tom Dawkins mentioned the cattle had been in good well being after they disembarked the 9 Eagle.
“I noticed the animals myself. I do know the Commonwealth vets and the NT chief vet noticed the animals on board. They’re good animals and wanted to be to get on the ship within the first place,” he mentioned.
The ABC understands there may be a delay within the arrival of a alternative half for the ship’s engine.
Livestock welfare a precedence
The continued welfare of the cattle stays a precedence of the DAFF.
“The cattle have been inspected day by day by departmental vets, along with ongoing monitoring by the exporter,” a division spokesperson mentioned.
“The cattle stay in good well being.
“The division will proceed monitoring the cattle and dealing intently with the exporter and native authorities every day till the scenario is resolved.”
Mr Dawkins mentioned the buildup of manure onboard the ship was additionally an element within the resolution to unload the animals.
Manure from cattle onboard the 9 Eagle couldn’t be legally discharged into Darwin Harbour whereas the ship was berthed on the port.
“If there’s a build-up there that isn’t drying and bedding, then it could actually change into a difficulty for the animals,” he mentioned.
“So it was one of many issues we introduced into the calculations.”
The 9 Eagle, which is flagged in Panama, was inbuilt 2006 and is among the smallest vessels servicing stay exports in Australia.
The NT Division of Trade has been contacted for remark.
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