A Dutch-flagged cargo ship insured by an Irish firm was allowed through Spanish waters on Saturday carrying tonnes of bombs and ammunition for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The Ditch can report the vessel is off the coast of Tunisia and expected to arrive at the Port of Haifa next week.
It was first scheduled to arrive at Limassol in Cyprus – a common phantom destination used to conceal weapons shipments to Israel. However for just a few minutes this afternoon, marine traffic website VesselFinder revealed the ship’s true destination was the Port of Haifa before switching back to Limassol.
The Spanish government recently banned US armed forces from using its military bases to launch its attacks against Iran, which have killed more than 1,300 people.
Prime minister Pedro Sánchez however continues to allow ships carrying IDF munitions through Spain. The Ditch reported last December that the largest shipment of Israeli weapons since October 2023 was transported through its territorial waters.
Rotterdam-based Hartel Shipping and Chartering operates the Rijnvliet cargo ship.
Irish corporation NorthStandard EU DAC provides the Dutch-registered ship with protection and indemnity insurance which is compulsory under EU and international law.
It left the US Port of Wilmington on 16 February after being loaded with bomb shells from Elbit Systems in South Carolina and brass ammunition cartridge cases made by the Wiehland Group in New York.
Though The Ditch couldn’t verify the weight of the munitions, both companies have previously sent shipments exceeding 100 tonnes.
The Rijnvliet is to arrive in Israel on Monday where the munitions will be delivered to the Elbit Systems-owned IMI Systems (Israel Military Industries) in Ramat Hasharon, the largest supplier of weapons to the IDF.
Hartel Shipping and Chartering declined to comment.
