Albanian authorities have allowed a Turkish-flagged ship, Moliva XA443A, suspected of carrying hazardous waste to dock at the port of Durres for inspection. The ship was initially prevented from docking after a watchdog raised concerns about its cargo. The containers on board are believed to hold around 2,100 tons of toxic dust from pollution control filters originating from the steel industry.
The prosecutor's office has ordered the containers to be seized and stored in an environmentally safe location for inspection. The cargo is expected to be sent to an agency in Porto Romano for further testing. The Seattle-based NGO Basel Action Network (BAN) alerted authorities about the suspicious shipment, which was intended for Thailand but was refused entry by Thai authorities.
Allegations have surfaced that the hazardous waste may have been illegally smuggled from neighboring Kosovo and Germany to Albania. The Albanian government has faced accusations of involvement in the illegal trafficking of hazardous materials. However, Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the shipment, stating that the cargo was declared as iron oxide, not toxic waste.
The Environment Minister emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and cautioned against politicizing the issue. She clarified that while the cargo is considered hazardous waste, it may not necessarily be toxic. BAN has called for transparency in the investigation and urged Albania to align its hazardous waste policies with EU standards.
As Albania aims to join the European Union, the handling of hazardous waste shipments has come under scrutiny. The government is cooperating with the prosecutor's office to ensure a comprehensive examination of the situation. The public is urged to remain calm as the investigation unfolds.
For more updates on this developing story, follow the latest news at the provided link.
