A new international report says millions of live animals are being transported each year on old ships that were never designed to carry livestock. This cause extreme suffering to the animals/
The report examined all active livestock carriers in the world. Researchers found that most vessels are converted cargo ships that are decades old.
Animal welfare groups warn that these ageing ships are more likely to suffer technical problems, be detained by port authorities and put both animals and crew at risk.
The report was published by the German Animal Welfare Foundation, the French environmental organisation Robin des Bois and the Swiss Tierschutzbund Zürich.
According to the report, there are 159 officially registered livestock carriers worldwide. Researchers found that 134 of them were originally built as ordinary cargo ships before being converted to transport live animals.
On average, these converted vessels are 45 years old. They have hundreds of technical deficiencies and have been detained by port authorities more often than newly built livestock carriers.
Researchers also found that many vessels failed to meet international environmental standards. Nearly one-third of inspected ships breached pollution regulations during 2024 and 2025.
The report also identified problems related to crew accommodation, working conditions, wages and social protection on 60 vessels.
Spiridon II case highlighted
The report points to the case of the Spiridon II as an example of the risks of ageing livestock ships. In 2025, the 53-year-old vessel transported nearly 3,000 cattle from Uruguay to Turkey.
According to previous reports, the ship experienced technical problems before departure and was later refused permission to unload its animals. The cattle remained on board for over two months, and hundreds of animals died before the voyage ended.
The case is currently being heard in court.
Every year, tens of millions of cattle, sheep and other farm animals are transported by sea around the world. Animal welfare groups have long raised concerns about long journeys, overcrowding, extreme temperatures, disease and limited access to veterinary care during transport.
The organisations behind the report argue that stronger international rules are needed to improve animal welfare, maritime safety and environmental protection.
They are calling on governments to tighten regulations, close legal loopholes and ultimately end the export of live animals by sea.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theanimalreader.com
