March 11, 2026 – 12 p.m.
“Epic fury”, code name for Israeli and USA raids on Iran starting on February 28
The Spiridon II once again in turmoil
She left Reni in Ukraine, is heading for Beirut and is currently south of Cyprus with around 3,000 cattle on board. For the record, the Spiridon II was involved in a deadly sailing with livestock on board last year. Aged 52, she had left Montevideo, Uruguay, on September 19, 2025 with 2,901 cattle bound for Türkiye. Upon arrival off Bandirma, Türkiye, on October 22, the unloading of the cattle was refused due to controversy over the exact origin and veterinary monitoring of the animals. About 20 men and the “cargo” were stuck on board. On November 22, 2025, she arrived in Benghazi, Libya, where she reportedly unloaded cattle. On November 27, she arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, where she unloaded the last surviving cattle from the journey. This lasted about 2 months and at least 60 animals are believed to have died during the journey.
The Spiridon II opposite Tarragona, Spain, in May 2022 © Manuel Redondo
Given the usual shipping traffic, we estimate that between 70,000 and 80,000 animals (sheep, goats, cattle and possibly camels between the Horn of Africa and Saudi Arabia) are currently in or approaching conflict zones, with approximately 400 crew members.
6 livestock carriers are in conflict zones (eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea):
Their classification societies are of lower rank. They are not members of the IACS (International Association of Classification Societies). Classification societies are responsible for verifying the structural integrity of ships and their seaworthiness.
– The Norland, from Vila do Conde (Brazil), has been in Beirut since March 6 (unloading of cattle in progress).
– The Dragon, from Giurgiulesti (Moldova), is currently in Beirut (Lebanon) (unloading of cattle or sheep in progress).
– The Apus, from Midia (Romania), is currently in Aqaba (Jordan) (unloading of cattle or sheep in progress).
– The Ayed 1, from Digna (Sudan), is currently in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (unloading of cattle or sheep in progress).
– The Hajh GHSN J, from Berbera (Somalia), is currently in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (unloading of goats or sheep in progress).
– The Maysa, from Djibouti, is currently in the Red Sea, bound for the Suez Canal and a country in the eastern Mediterranean (possibly Lebanon or Egypt) to unload sheep or cattle.
The Apus in the Suez Canal in March 2021 © smp
8 livestock carriers are heading for conflict zones:
Their classification societies are of lower rank. They are not members of the IACS (International Association of Classification Societies) except for the Freedom (Bureau Veritas, France).
– The Spiridon II. See introduction.
– The Freedom, from Vila do Conde (Brazil), is currently south of Crete. She has not indicated her destination, but she already delivered livestock to Beirut (Lebanon) at the end of December. She is transporting cattle.
– The Julia Ak, from Vila do Conde (Brazil), is en route to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) in the Red Sea. She is currently on a technical stopover in Cartagena (Spain). She is transporting cattle.
– The Jersey, from Midia (Romania) bound for Port Said (Egypt), is currently off the coast of Egypt. She usually delivers cattle or sheep to Aqaba (Jordan) in the Red Sea after crossing the Suez Canal.
– The Julia L.S., from Midia (Romania) bound for Ashdod (Israel), is currently in the Aegean Sea. She is transporting cattle or sheep.
– The Uranus II, from Sines (Portugal), is currently off the coast of Algeria. She has not indicated her destination but regularly delivers livestock to Israel.
– The Uranus L, from Setubal (Portugal), is currently southeast of Crete and heading for Haifa (Israel).
– The Tuleen, from Koper (Slovenia), unloaded in Haifa (Israel) on March 4 (the ship turned off her AIS while docked). She then left to pick up animals in Midia (Romania). She departed again yesterday, once more heading for Haifa. She is currently approaching the Bosphorus Strait.
The Uranus L in 2016 at the Tersan Shipyard (south of Istanbul, Türkiye), already 34 years old
© Sadullah Altay
2 livestock carriers changed course to avoid conflict zones:
– The Balha One (classification society RINA – Italy, IACS), from Rio Grande (Brazil), ultimately did not cross the Suez Canal after her technical stopover in Cartagena (Spain). The ship left Port Said on March 4 at 20:25 and has been anchored in Tasucu (Türkiye) since March 8. The cattle have been on board for over a month.
– The Karim Allah, from Reni (Ukraine), did not ultimately reach Beirut (Lebanon). She unloaded cattle in Misrata (Libya) on March 9 and is currently south of Sicily waiting for order.
5 livestock carriers have unloaded their animals and are still in conflict zones:
– The Finola M (classification society Bureau Veritas – France, IACS), from Midia (Romania), unloaded cattle or sheep yesterday in Haifa (Israel) after deactivating her AIS (Automatic Identification System).
– The Maysora (classification society Bureau Veritas – France, IACS), from Vila do Conde (Brazil), unloaded cattle in Aqaba (Jordan) on March 5 and is waiting for order north of the Red Sea opposite Al Wajh (Saudi Arabia).
– The Mayar (classification society RINA – Italy, IACS), from Berbera (Somalia), unloaded sheep or goats and possibly camels in Jeddah on March 4. She has been anchored off Berbera once again since March 9. She is likely to continue her deliveries to Saudi Arabia.
– The Al Mabrouka-10, from Digna (Sudan), unloaded goats or sheep in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on March 3/4, arrived in Marsa Bashayer (Sudan) on March 9. She is currently repositioned at Digna (Sudan).
– The Taiba, from Vila do Conde (Brazil), unloaded cattle in Aqaba (Jordan) on March 8. She is currently in the Gulf of Suez.
4 livestock carriers were able to unload their animals and leave the conflict zones:
– The Mariona Star, from Tartus (Syria), unloaded sheep or goats in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on March 5. She is currently transiting the Suez Canal.
– The Al Farouk, from Reni (Ukraine), unloaded cattle in Beirut (Lebanon) on March 5. She is currently anchored opposite Alexandria (Egypt).
– The Galloway Express (classification society RINA – Italy, IACS), from Montevideo (Uruguay), unloaded cattle in Ashdod (Israel) on March 4. She is now en route to the Strait of Gibraltar.
– The Rami M, from Vila do Conde (Brazil), unloaded cattle in Beirut from March 4 in the afternoon. She is currently off the coast of Algiers.
Maritime traffic continues to face major risks in the Arabo-Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Insurers are cancelling clauses covering “war risk”. They are now refusing to insure merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Contract renegotiations are possible in the coming days, but at prohibitive prices (10 times higher than those offered before Operation “Epic Fury”). Insurers are closely monitoring the situation in the Red Sea to assess, on a daily and hourly basis, whether to extend the area of non-insurance coverage. For the record, ships in the Red Sea are exposed to reprisals from Houthi rebels based in Yemen. As for the eastern Mediterranean, particularly Lebanon and Israel, it is certain that insurance premiums against acts of war are on the rise and that livestock carrier owners do not necessarily have the means to pay the additional costs. In principle, these additional premiums can be paid by the shippers or recipients.
See also:
“Epic fury”. Press release n°1, March 4, 2026 – 3 p.m.
About the Spiridon II:
Transport of live animals by sea, December 10, 2025
Spiridon II – The ghost livestock carrier, November 24, 2025
Spiridon II – Dramatic turn of events, November 22, 2025
26,000 km at sea for nearly 3,000 cows, November 17, 2025
Livestock carriers: 2,901 cows in distress, November 12, 2025
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