The vessel MV Brasschaat, managed by Belgian firm Sobelmar Antwerp, arrived yesterday at Port of Klaipeda, Lituania, despite requests of asking the vessel return to El Aaiun with its cargo. The ship carried phosphate rock from the Bou Craa mine. 

Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW) first discovered the vessel Brasschaat upon its arrival to Western Sahara waters two weeks ago. The shipping firm was then warned that transporting phosphates from the occupied territory contributes to Morocco's violations of international law.

Later, as the vessel had picked up its cargo and was passing the coasts of France, Western Sahara Resource Watch on 25 August in a letter to the vessel’s managing company, Sobelmar Antwerp NV, urging the firm to return the cargo to where it came from. 

“As far as we are informed, your firm has not consulted with representatives of the Saharawi people, to investigate whether this transport is according to their interests or wishes. We point to the 2002 legal opinion from the UN Legal Counsel, stating that natural resource activity in Western Sahara would be in violation of international law if it is to the disregard of these wishes and interests. (...) We thus ask you to immediately return your cargo to the Port of al-‘Ayun”, WSRW stated to the firm. 

Sobelmar Antwerp has so far not responded to the letter. In stead, the vessel called at Klaipeda port on 28 August. The importer is believed to be the long term importer of Western Sahara phosphates, Lithuanian firm Lifosa.