In the wake of the Spiridon II and her 3,000 wandering cows, a global coalition of animal welfare organisations was born. The initiative originated in Australia. The first action taken by Stop Live Exports is to send a letter to the Secretary-General of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). The aim is to get this powerful global institution, which is part of the UN (United Nations), to take a stand and consider measures to reduce the suffering inflicted on livestock and the risks to the environment, crews and populations.
Victim of a livestock carrier. Zealand Island, Denmark, January 8, 2014
(see “Shipbreaking” #34, pp. 1-2, published in February 2014)
© AP/Niels Hougaard
Stop Live Exports calls on the IMO, among others, to:
– develop binding international regulations for livestock carriers, covering vessel design, stability, ventilation, waste management, crew safety and animal welfare.
– include mandatory contingency plans to end the risk of open-ended voyages for animals that are refused permission to unload in the specified importing countries. As part of this, guarantee the ability to unload and manage any livestock into quarantine stations at arrival at the importing country, to avoid any welfare issues which occur all too frequently, for example the MV Spiridon II in Türkiye during October/November 2025, and others before.
– undertake a comprehensive review of Port Reception Facilities availability for animal effluent, wastes and carcasses in ports where livestock vessels operate, and of Garbage Record Books entries on disposal of animal wastes and carcasses to investigate compliance with MARPOL convention, especially Annexes IV and V.
The letter sent to the IMO by the coalition is, among other references, based on the report published by Robin des Bois and the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) in March 2024 on the condition of the 64 EU-approved livestock carriers. It is a great pride for Robin des Bois to be playing a useful role in this major issue. You will be informed of the IMO’s response and the outcome of this long-term campaign.
The Spiridon II left Montevideo, Uruguay, on September 19 with 2,901 cows bound for Türkiye.
She arrived off the coast of Bandirma, Türkiye, on October 22. The unloading of the cows was refused due to controversy over the exact origin and tracking of the animals.
On November 14, the shipowner announced the return of the Spiridon II to Montevideo.
From November 18 at 17:27 (16:27 UTC), she cannot be located. Her AIS is disconnected. The last available location places her off the coast of Tunis.
In fact, the Spiridon II turned back. On November 22, she arrived in Benghazi, Libya. She is believed to have unloaded cows.
On November 24, she leaves Benghazi and the shipowner announces her arrival in Alexandria, Egypt.
On November 27, she changes course and arrives in Beirut, Lebanon.
On December 10, she is still there. She is on ballast. She is empty.
Marine Traffic screenshot, December 10, 2025, 9:30 a.m.
See also:
Press release n°4, “Spiridon II – The ghost livestock carrier”, November 24, 2025, updated November 27, 2025
Press release n°3, “Dramatic turn of events”, November 24, 2025
Press release n°2, “26,000 km at sea for nearly 3,000 cows”, November 17, 2025.
Press release n°1, “Livestock carriers: 2,901 cows in distress”, November 12, 2025
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