RIYADH, 22 August 2005 — A Saudi cargo ship carrying Australian sheep bound for Jeddah has been detained at Port Adelaide following a court order in Australia, Arab News has learned.
The Australian Embassy confirmed that the ship had been detained but said that the detention had nothing to do with the quality of the livestock.
According to information received from Adelaide, the court has ordered the detention of the Saudi ship because of outstanding debts. Last month, it ruled that the owners owe more than $600,000. Its crew of 69 sailors allege that they have not been paid in months and are owed up to $450,000.
Mohamed Al-Kalaf, a prominent livestock importer, said he had received information that the ship had been delayed due to a court order in Adelaide. He added that the problem would be sorted out within a week.
