Livestock Carrier Forced to Return to Port of Darwin After Engine Room Fire

A Luxembourg-flagged live export ship carrying 3,600 cattle was forced to return to Australia’s Port of Darwin on Wednesday following a fire in its engine room, Australia’s national broadcaster ABC reported.

The M/V Brahman Express departed Darwin Port on Wednesday afternoon bound for Indonesia.

According to the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the vessel experienced an engine room fire shortly after departure.

DAFF is collaborating with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the exporter to address the incident.

All animals on board are unaffected.

AMSA confirmed that the fire was promptly extinguished and that no injuries were sustained by the crew or livestock.

AMSA issued a notice under the Navigation Act instructing the ship to proceed to the nearest available wharf in Darwin to discharge the cattle.

The incident comes as the live export industry faces heightened scrutiny following a number of high-profile accidents as well as animal welfare concerns. Earlier this year, New Zealand took the step of ending livestock exports by sea, citing animal welfare concerns following the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 1 in 2020 with the loss of 6,000 cattle bound for China and all but two of its crew members.

The Brahman Express was built in 2002 and is owned and operated by Vroon Group’s Livestock Express. Equasis data shows the ship was last inspected in July and no deficiencies were found.

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