OVERSEAS SANTORINI

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Gibraltar did not provide services for disputed vessel

Gibraltar reiterated that it did not provide service to the 'Overseas Santorini' despite anchoring on the East side. The 'Overseas Santorini', after crossing the Strait at midday on July 30 and continuing on its planned route, manoeuvred and turned to position itself with its bow towards the Bay of Algeciras at around 2:30 p.m. The ship was anchored and was being assisted by other Gibraltar-flagged ships, such as the patrol boat 'Mons Calpe' and the 'Sir Joshua Hassan'. The Government of Gibraltar has clarified hat the ship flies the flag of the United States and is crewed by American citizens. It affirmed that it was not subject to sanctions from the United Kingdom, the European Union or the United Nations. The Gibraltar Government has been in close contact with the UK authorities in relation to this matter and has a clear view of the wider interests of British foreign policy in dealing with the closest allies. It acknowledged that there has been no contact with the Spanish Government, but Gibraltar understands that the ship was not turned away from the Port of Algeciras, where it has apparently been calling for years, but that it withdrew its request to berth in the port. The ship did not enter the Port of Gibraltar and was not provided with any service by the Government or the Port. The ship underwent a crew change and refuelled. The 'Overseas Santorini' left Gibraltar waters in the early hours of July 31, and at 05.50 a.m. was already off Malaga, heading for Israel. The ship, which was initially scheduled to stop at the Port of Algeciras, cancelled the call on July 26 and headed for Gibraltar. However, the Government of the Rock clarified on July 27 that the 'Overseas Santorini' had not requested a stopover at the Gibraltar port or any service.

Ship with fuel for Israel faced protests in Gibraltar too

The 'Overseas Santorini' also faced strong protests from pro-Palestinian supporters as it made a port call at Gibraltar for bunkering. Protesters, including members of the British parliament, alleged that the vessel was transporting military fuel destined for Israel and should not be allowed to bunker in the port of Gibraltar. It had arrived off the coast of Gibraltar on the night of July 30. Protestors claimed that the ship was carrying 300,000 barrels of jet fuel onboard, which could be used for bombings in Gaza. They further claimed that the fuel was being shipped by Valero Energy Corporation and was headed for the port of Ashkelon. The ship had already skipped a scheduled stop in Algeciras, anticipating the protest it was facing there too. The British authorities had received a request from the tanker for bunkering, but the captain of the Gibraltar had not granted the request yet. A coalition of British politicians and activists has urged the UK and Gibraltar governments to do everything in their power to prevent the vessel from bunkering in Gibraltar. The protestors alleged that allowing the ship to dock at Gibraltar would make the port complicit in Israeli violations of international law. The tanker left Gibraltar after some four hours towards the Mediterranean.

Ship cancels call at Algeciras in view of protests

The 'Overseas Santorini' has cancelled the stopover it had requested at the Port of Algeciras. The Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) had indicated that, in view of the protests called against the ship's docking, it was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that must deny, if applicable, the entry of the ship into Spanish jurisdictional waters and, if so, the Maritime Administration would act accordingly. In the absence of an indication of denial by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the port authority must assign the requested anchoring point to the ship. The cancellation of the stopover by the ship has eased the tensions generated by the announced protests. The ship, which had requested entry into the port of Algeciras, has been the subject of controversy due to the cargo it was carrying, which is presumably fuel for military aircraft. Environmental groups and various NGOs have been denouncing that the 'Overseas Santorini' left the United States bound for Israel with a load of 300,000 barrels of military fuel for Israeli air force aircraft. The protests organised to prevent its docking were in response to concerns raised by various local groups.