Key Bay is now heading to Las Palmas
Article image
After a long stay-over in Mauritania, the chemical tanker 'Key Bay' is now on its way to the EU with fish oil from occupied Western Sahara. First stop: Las Palmas.
Published 14 January 2017


key_bay_06.01.2017e_350.jpgOn 13 January 2016, the vessel was heading in a speed of 11 knots north direction the EU from Nouadhibou. On the evening of 13 January, it was confirmed that the first stop is Las Palmas. It is estimated to arrive Las Palmas at 14:00 this afternoon, 14 January.

In general, near all fish oil transports of this kind have ended up in Fécamp, Normandy, France. It is not known what the purpose of the stop in Las Palmas will be - probably to bunker fuel.

WSRW earlier wrote that Key Bay had picked up a cargo of fish oil in El Aaiun harbour in Western Sahara. The photo to the right shows the vessel before picking up the cargo.

When it entered El Aaiun on 6 January its draught was 5,2 meters, while after leaving El Aaiun on 8 January it was 5,4 meters. The change means it has most probably loaded in El Aaiun.

On the 8 January, the vessel headed towards Nouadhibou, Mauritania. After 5 days in the North-Mauritanian port, the vessel is now on its way into EU waters.

The vessel undertakes such controversial transport approximately twice a year. This is the first time after the landmark judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU that WSRW observes a transport from the occupied territory.

A large part of the territory of Western Sahara has been under illegal occupation by Morocco since the 1970s.

It is normal for the vessel to make those 3 stops: Tan Tan, El Aaiun, Nouadhibou, before heading to France.

WSRW report: Record low number of phosphate importers

Picture: The bulk vessel Young Glory (IMO 9690133) observed in the port of El Aaiún, occupied Western Sahara, in September 2024, picking up a cargo of approximately 60.000 tonnes of conflict minerals. The ship sailed to Paradip in India. 

26 June 2025

SRI update

The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 21 June 2025.

21 June 2025

Japanese conflict mineral importer identified

WSRW has traced the imports of phosphate rock to a dock just adjacent to a subsidiary of Japanese company Taiheiyo Cement Corporation. 

16 June 2025

New report: massive sand export from Western Sahara to the Canaries

Near a million tonnes of sand was exported from occupied Western Sahara to the Canaries during the last five years, a new WSRW report reveals. 

12 June 2025