The Norwegian shipping company R-Bulk apologizes that one of their vessels has transported phosphates from Western Sahara, and say they will do their utmost to prevent it from happening again. The company is praised for its good corporate social responsibility.
April this year, a vessel belonging to the Norwegian ship owner company R-Bulk, transported 15.000 tonnes of phosphate from occupied Western Sahara to Colombia. One of Norway's biggest trade unions, Industry and Energy, as well as the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara and Western Sahara Resource Watch today protests the shipment. The phosphate industry in the occupied country takes place in violation of international law.
This time, the vessel is Greek. Arriving Northport on May 30th 2008.
"For now, and unlike its stance on East Timor, New Zealand prefers to cut deals with the occupying power that has long been denying the right of Africa’s last colony to full self determination under the UN Charter." Read article by Scoop journalist Gordon Campbell on the New Zealand participation in the Western Sahara resource plundering.
The European Liberal Youth demands the termination of the controversial EU fisheries agreement with Morocco that lets European vessels fish in occupied Western Sahara. Read statement from the Liberal Youth's annual Lymec congress, Barcelona 1-4th May 2008.
Kamal Fadel, Front Polisario's representative to Australia and New Zealand, has been interviewed on Adelaide Radio regarding the Moroccan fishing and phosphate industry in Western Sahara.
Read also: Demands halt to Tasmanian phosphate imports
Following the revelations in New Zealand press that the fishing company Sealord is involved in marketing fish from occupied Western Sahara, the Maori Party now reacts. Sealord is half Maori owned. \"We encourage Maori shareholders to raise the issue with Sealord\'s directors and encourage them to review their investment decision accordingly\", Maori Party says.
A New Zealand company is involved in dealing fish from occupied Western Sahara. Hear story broadcasted on Radio New Zealand, May 8th 2008.
The Norwegian insurance company, Skuld, keeps insuring ships carrying controversial cargo. After the case of the ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe, it has now been discovered that Skuld has ensured a ship carrying phosphate from occupied Western Sahara.
New Zealand, a country which already is a main ally to Morocco in buying the phosphates from the occupied Western Sahara, now also proves to be involved in the distribution of the territory’s fish resources.
"Kosmos believes it has made the right bet as to which party will prevail", a presentation about the company stated.
A Turkey owned vessel is now transporting phosphates from occupied Western Sahara.
More than 300 people demonstrated in the Spanish city of Huelva, in protest of the company FMC Foret's import of phosphates from Western Sahara. Carrying banners such as "Western Sahara is not for sale", the protesters demanded an immediate stop of the imports.