Kuwaiti ‘death ship’ carrying cattle causes stench in Cape Town

Some residents thought a large nearby sewerage works had conked out or their nostrils were being assailed by domestic plumbing problems

By Reuters
February 21, 2024
This image shows a Cow covered in its own dirt. — Supplied/SPCA
This image shows a Cow covered in its own dirt. — Supplied/SPCA

CAPE TOWN: A “death ship” carrying thousands of cattle whose foul smell caused a stink in top tourist city Cape Town is expected to continue its voyage to Iraq later on Tuesday, port officials said.

The ship, en route from Brazil and carrying an estimated 19,000 cattle, docked in Cape Town on Sunday, bringing with it a nauseating odour that permeated the city centre. Some residents thought a large nearby sewerage works had conked out or their nostrils were being assailed by domestic plumbing problems, a Reuters witness said.

A local city councillor, however, confirmed on Monday that the smell was indeed from the “Al Kuwait” vessel, which was immediately boarded by inspectors from the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) on Sunday evening.

“According to the latest update from the vessel agent and the terminal operator, the estimated departure of the vessel remains 20 February 2024,” port operator Transnet said in a statement on Tuesday.