Join our crew and become one of the 104,727 members that receive our newsletter.

Chemical Experts Eye Port to Load Syria Toxins Onto U.S. Ship

Chemical Experts Eye Port to Load Syria Toxins Onto U.S. Ship

Reuters
Total Views: 1
December 4, 2013

The MV Cape Ray, the likely ship to dispose of the weapons, is one of three CAPE R-class Ro/Ro cargo ships in the Maritime Administration’s Ready Reserve Force.

reuters_logo1UNITED NATIONS, Dec 4 (Reuters) – The United Nations and the global chemical weapons watchdog are awaiting approval from a country to use its port to load Syria’s most deadly chemicals onto a U.S. ship for destruction offshore, the head of the mission said on Wednesday.

Sigrid Kaag, head of the joint mission of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Syria mission, briefed the U.N. Security Council on Thursday but did not identify which country she had been in talks with.

The OPCW said on Saturday the United States had started modifying a U.S. naval vessel to be able to destroy Syria’s 500 tons of chemicals, including actual nerve agents – neutralizing them offshore with other chemicals in a process known as hydrolysis.

Italy, Norway and Denmark have offered to transport Syria’s chemicals from the northern Syrian port of Latakia with military escorts. The chemicals would then be transferred to the U.S. ship at another port.

“We’re still awaiting confirmation by a member state that a port is available for trans-loading, so it will be trans-loading in a port,” Kaag told reporters after briefing the council.

When asked if the port to be used would likely be in the Mediterranean, she said: “The geographic range is quite significant, so no, not necessarily. At the moment, we’re discussing and we’re hoping to have early confirmation soon.”

The Hague-based OPCW, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in October, has been given the task of overseeing destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stocks under an agreement that averted U.S. missile strikes.

It followed a sarin gas attack on the outskirts of Damascus in August that killed hundreds of people. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Peter Cooney)

© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 104,727 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.

Join Our Crew

Join the 104,727 members that receive our newsletter.