JEDDAH, 21 September 2004 — The Saudi Seaports Authority has banned all ships of an Arab shipping company from entering Saudi ports whether to upload, refuel or get water. The decision came after the unnamed company was found guilty of shipping Australian cattle to Jeddah Islamic Port claming they were shipped from Romania to meet the local demand during the Haj season.
A source at the Jeddah port said that authorities received a report of the company’s shady involvement in the shipment six months prior to the ship’s arrival in the Kingdom. An investigation was conducted on the route of the ship, which proved that the ship did not come from the Suez Canal, the main gateway for ships coming from Romania. The source said ships of the Arab company were spotted loading cargo bound for Saudi Arabia from a number of international ports without verifying the type of cargo.
All facts obtained during the investigation that lasted for four months were documented and sent to the local court, which imposed the ban on the company for violating the country’s import laws.
Livestock businessmen in the Kingdom directed their business toward European and South American markets last year.
Australian authorities refuse to export cattle to Saudi Arabia because of displeasure after the Saudi government rejected 52,000 heads of Australian sheep last year.
In order to keep questionable cargo at bay, authorities keep a close watch on ships arriving at the Saudi ports and punish violators of the country’s laws. Products that do not meet Saudi standards are denied entry. Consequently, all cattle that arrive are subjected to medical inspection to make sure that they are not infected with any disease.
According to available statistics, more than two million heads of cattle were imported during the last Haj season. The total value of cattle imported exceeded SR500 million.
