15.3.11

Victoria, Israelis seize Saade boxship for arms





The Israeli military said that the vessel was German owned but operated by a French shipping company. The Israeli military and Foreign Ministry notified the German, Liberian and French authorities about the interception, the statement said.

-United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) on March 9 called on the CMA CGM Group (“CMA CGM”) to follow the lead of other responsible corporations and cease all business activities in or with Iran. CMA CGM, a privately owned French company and the third largest shipping container company worldwide, is listed on UANI’s Iran Business Registry (IBR).

While the world is increasingly taking steps to isolate Iran for its pursuit of an illegal nuclear weapons program, CMA CGM is instead increasing its business in Iran, stating that it would increase activities in the port of Bushehr, where Iran’s light water nuclear reactor is located, “10 times more than present.”

Since 2009, CMA CGM vessels have also been involved in two known incidents of shipping dangerous weaponry to or from Iran in violation of UN Security Council Resolutions. Most recently, in October 2010, Nigerian authorities seized 13 shipping containers carrying illegal Iranian weaponry at Lagos’ Apapa Port.

In the second case, in July 2009 the UAE seized a shipment of weapons from North Korea destined for Iran. This case is particularly troubling, because according to a diplomatic source, the shipment reportedly contained components that would be used for an Iranian test launch of a new, North Korean-supplied intermediate-range ballistic missile. The missile, reportedly the BM-25 (or Musudan), is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching targets in Western Europe. CMA CGM’s business in Iran is clearly helping to prop up the Iranian regime’s dictatorship.

In 2010, the Group is rewarded with INTTRA Carrier of the Year and SONY Best Partner Carrier Award. In November, the Group signs an agreement with the family-run Turkish industrial group, YILDIRIM. The agreement enables CMA CGM to strengthen its equity base and secure the financing of its investment plan.

In 2011, Jacques R. Saadé is appointed Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Group.

Today, CMA CGM is the world’s third largest container shipping company and number one in France. With a fleet of 394 vessels, the Group serves over 400 ports of call. In 2009, it transported a total of 8 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) for total estimated revenues of 10.5 billion US dollars. With a presence on all continents and in 150 countries through its 650 agencies, the Group employs over 17,200 people worldwide, including over 4,150 in France.

Delivery Date 17/11/09
Service IRISH
Deployment N.CONTINENT / LIVERPOOL / DUBLIN / BELFAST
Previous Name ex ES2
Flag LIBERIA
Built 2004
Cargo Gear 3x45t
Nominal Teus 1678
Teus 14TH 1305
Reefer Point 233 FEU
S.DWT 22506
S.Draft 10,87
L.O.A 178.5
Beam 27.6
GT 17188
NT 9038
Suez GT 50835,55
Suez NT 17944,95
Speed 21
Builder SIETAS
Propelling Engine MAN 6L23/30
Classification GL + 100 A5 CONTAINERSHIP, IW, NAV-O, SOLAS II-2 REG.19+MC AUT
Port of registry MONROVIA
Call sign A8UJ5
Bowthruster 900 kw
Imo Number 9290165
Managing Owners Peter Doehle
Operator CMA CGM
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