Valletta, Malta – August 2025
Maltese activist group Ġustizzja għall‑Palestina has urged the Maltese government to either deflag a bulk carrier carrying Colombian coal to Israel or force the ship to return the cargo to its country of origin, citing violations of international law and Colombia’s own presidential decree.
The vessel in question, the Malta‑flagged MV Fortune, departed Colombia on July 24, carrying coal destined for Israel’s Port Hadera, with expected arrival on August 14. According to the activist group, this shipment defies a decree issued by Colombian President Gustavo Petro in August 2024 banning the export of coal to Israel in response to its military actions in Gaza.
President Petro publicly condemned the shipment, declaring, “Not a single tonne of coal will go to Israel… we are not accomplices in genocide.” He also indicated that the Colombian navy would be ordered to intercept future shipments in breach of the ban, calling this one “a challenge to my government.”
Ġustizzja għall‑Palestina further raised alarm over the vessel’s conduct at sea, claiming, “The Fortune’s captain, in flagrant disregard for the basic norms of seamanship and safety, has not reported its position for the past nine days.” The ship’s last known position was off the east coast of the Dominican Republic, en route to Israel.
The group maintains that the coal is intended to power the Israeli energy grid, which includes illegally occupied territories such as the West Bank and the Golan Heights, thus “directly aiding and assisting Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise.” They argue this constitutes a violation of international law and Malta’s own obligations as the ship’s flag state.
Under international maritime law, flag states are responsible for enforcing regulations on ships flying their flags. In their statement, the activists emphasized that Malta must either ensure the Fortune returns its cargo or revoke its right to operate under the Maltese flag. “All actors involved in the transfer of this shipment on the Fortune must be held accountable under international law… To do nothing is to fail Malta’s obligation to prevent Israel’s escalating crimes against the Palestinian people.”
The group cited the example of Antigua and Barbuda, which recently deflagged vessels carrying arms to conflict zones in response to public pressure and humanitarian law considerations. In 2022, the Pacific nation revoked the registration of a ship allegedly carrying weapons to Myanmar, citing its commitment to human rights. Similarly, in 2011, Togo faced international criticism for failing to take action against ships supplying arms to Côte d’Ivoire during an arms embargo, prompting reforms in its ship registry system.
Ġustizzja għall‑Palestina called on Malta to implement stricter controls on its registry, stating, “No military supplies or dual‑use items should be conveyed under the Maltese flag to any conflict area anywhere in the world.”
The Maltese government has yet to issue an official response.
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