A ship that was reportedly set ablaze by drone attack and subsequently sank that I mentioned last week (due to its odd behaviour of being "lost" twice), the Indian flagged Haji Ali has come into the headlines once again.
She was carrying approximately 4000 sheep and goats that were headed to Sharjah, UAE from Berbera, Somalia. Her crew of 14 survived and were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard. The animals perished.
According to Windward, the vessel was operating with its automatic identification system switched off at the time of the incident.
Somalia, which has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, is a leading exporter of live animals to the Middle East. In recent years, the country has taken advantage of Australia's ban on live exports and the war in Sudan to increase its control of the lucrative Middle East market, exporting between four million and six million head of livestock annually and raking in more than $1 billion last year. Livestock exports to the Middle East reach peak levels in May, when the Muslim world gears up to mark Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).
More on this :
After Iranian Attack, Activists Renew Push for Live Export Ban (Marine Executive - May 31, 2026)