Ship Carrying Explosives to Israel Triggers Outrage and Military Response

Maritime data revealed that the Egyptian container ship “Pan GG” made continuous trips to the Israeli port of Ashdod, departing from Port Said and Dekheila ports in Egypt, coinciding with the Israeli occupation’s war on Gaza.
Picture of Ahmed Gamal Ziada

Ahmed Gamal Ziada

At 7:00 AM on Monday, October 28, the ship MV Kathrin docked at Alexandria Port, flying the German flag. It was among dozens of ships arriving daily at the port, following a long journey that began in July, departing from Vietnam under the flag of Portugal’s Madeira Island and traveling through the Balkans. Everything seemed normal until international organizations and human rights groups later revealed shocking claims that the ship was carrying tons of military and explosive materials intended for the Israeli occupation government. Reports suggested that at least three countries—Malta, Namibia, and Angola—had refused to allow the ship to dock.

Over 72 hours, Zawia3 intensified its investigative efforts, involving a research team to contact international and local sources, track the ship’s route via global maritime monitoring sites, and gather all available information about its journey, cargo, and activities at Alexandria Port. The investigation also examined the company responsible for the ship, discussed international laws governing the hosting of ships carrying military materials, and addressed the ship’s future. As of this report, the MV Kathrin remains docked at Alexandria Port, with plans to depart on November 5.

The Mystery of the Ship’s Journey

According to MarineTraffic, a website specializing in monitoring global maritime navigation, the ship MV Kathrin (ID: 9570620) departed from Vietnam on July 22 and arrived at Alexandria Port on October 28. Sources obtained by Zawia3 indicate that the ship deliberately avoided direct travel to ports in Israeli-occupied territories to mitigate the risk of being targeted. Instead, it opted for a route via the Cape of Good Hope, explaining the extended duration of its voyage. Initial plans suggested docking in a South African nation such as Namibia or Angola. However, international pressure, led by organizations like the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement and Amnesty International, persuaded several countries to deny the ship entry, ultimately leaving it to dock in Egypt.

The ship Kathrin (ID: 9570620) departed from Vietnam on July 22 and arrived at Alexandria Port on October 28, according to MarineTraffic, a platform specialized in monitoring global maritime navigation.
The ship Kathrin (ID: 9570620) departed from Vietnam on July 22 and arrived at Alexandria Port on October 28, according to MarineTraffic, a platform specialized in monitoring global maritime navigation.

During its journey, the ship faced mounting international pressure, prompting it to change its Portuguese flag at the request of the Portuguese government, replacing it with the German flag. Maritime tracking systems confirmed that the ship remained the same, retaining its identification number but switching its flag to avoid further pressure on the Portuguese government.

The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) sent a legal notice to the Portuguese government in September, urging it to remove the Portuguese flag from MV Kathrin. The notice cited legal grounds under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, according to a document obtained by Zawia3.

Meanwhile, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, called on the Portuguese government to investigate the ship’s case. She emphasized the legal obligation of states to impose a military embargo on the Israeli occupation. “Eight containers of explosives onboard MV Kathrin are key components in aerial bombs and missiles used by Tel Aviv against Palestinians,” she stated. Albanese urged other nations to prevent the ship from docking in their ports, stressing the need for states to honor their legal obligations under Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions and immediately halt all arms transfers to the occupation.

In Germany, human rights lawyers filed an urgent appeal in October with the Administrative Court in Berlin, seeking to prevent the shipment of 150 tons of military-grade explosives aboard the German-flagged cargo ship MV Kathrin en route to the occupation. Reuters quoted the European Legal Support Center as saying, “The case was filed on behalf of three Palestinians from Gaza.” The shipment in question reportedly includes RDX explosives, which could be used in ammunition deployed during Israel’s military operations in Gaza, potentially contributing to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

What Was the Ship Carrying?

All international reports confirm the hazardous nature of the ship’s contents, which included tons of explosives weighing approximately 150 tons—according to the Namibian government and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs. The cargo of the ship MV Kathrin reportedly consisted of explosives destined for Tel Aviv. The Namibian authorities refused to allow the ship to dock at its main port in August, based on information from the ship’s operator that indicated its cargo included eight containers of “RDX Hexogen” explosives. Data issued by the Office of the Prime Minister of Slovenia and the Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that the ship was heading to Montenegro and the Slovenian port of Koper, where it would unload its cargo. At the time, it was unclear how the shipment would subsequently reach the occupied territories.

In an exclusive statement to Zawia3, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement clarified that the ship in question carried eight containers of (RDX) explosives, used to manufacture highly explosive bombs. Movement officials told us: “RDX has become a critical material in wars since it was widely used by the United States in its war against the people of Vietnam. Anti-personnel mines made of RDX explode and scatter a spray of metal balls that act like bullets, tearing apart people, buildings, and vehicles. It is unfortunate that the explosives carried by Kathrin, destined for the Israeli enemy to support its genocide against our people in Gaza, originated from Vietnam.”

Meanwhile, (Reuters) reported that the German company Lubeca Marine, the ship’s owner, stated that it had unloaded its cargo in the city of (Bar) in Montenegro and that it was not scheduled to stop at any ports in the occupied territories. However, information on the official website of Alexandria Port confirmed that the ship unloaded its (military) contents at the port (we obtained documentation before it was erased from port records). Some sources we spoke to interpreted this as suggesting the ship might have already unloaded part of its cargo in Montenegro, but this explanation lacks logic. If allowed, the ship could have unloaded all its cargo there. Others speculate that the German government made such claims to justify its position and alleviate international pressure.

The unloading of the military cargo from the mentioned ship at Alexandria Port.
The unloading of the military cargo from the mentioned ship at Alexandria Port.

Speaking with Zawia3, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement stated: “To confirm whether a second ship transported the explosives unloaded from Kathrin to an Israeli port, it is imperative to hold authorities accountable and conduct a transparent, professional, and independent investigation. The suspicion is clear. Ultimately, why is a ship loaded with military supplies to support the occupation allowed to use Egyptian waters and ports? This step could subject Egyptian authorities to direct legal responsibility under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Who authorized this, after the ship was denied access by several African and European countries?”

The movement added: “Based on monitoring efforts by international campaign activists (within BDS) to disrupt military shipments supporting the occupation, we have no definitive evidence regarding the shipment’s fate after its offloading in Alexandria. However, the most likely scenario is that it was reloaded and sent to its destination via undisclosed means. Notably, many such ships disappear from maritime tracking systems. For example, another ship was detected leaving Alexandria for Ashdod after Kathrin unloaded its cargo, raising significant suspicion.”

When asked about their engagement with the Egyptian government on the matter, BDS stated: “The Palestinian National Committee for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, the largest civil society coalition in Palestine and the leading body of the BDS movement globally, does not engage directly with authorities. Instead, we call on civil, popular, parliamentary, and union levels to pressure, question, and hold accountable any potential complicity. In this case, our demand was clear: to initiate an independent, professional, and legal investigation into the background of why an Egyptian port hosted this ship after it was rejected elsewhere. As the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory emphasized, any role in supplying or transporting arms and military materials to Tel Aviv amid its ongoing genocide in Gaza may constitute a severe violation of the Genocide Convention.”

The movement further emphasized: “Any assistance in supplying or transporting military equipment to Tel Aviv today could amount to a violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The unloading of this internationally prohibited cargo in Egypt contradicts international decisions and agreements that call on all states to refrain from supporting crimes against humanity and genocide. International commitments oblige Egypt, under agreements like the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, to avoid any indirect partnership that could be used to support Israeli crimes of genocide.”

BDS concluded: “Setting aside the blatant breach of international law, how can any Egyptian entity, from a moral, national, or patriotic standpoint, serve the Israeli enemy and enable its televised extermination of our people? Has this entity forgotten that Israel is also the enemy of the Egyptian people?”

Who Is Responsible at Alexandria Port?

According to information obtained by Zawia3, the ship’s cargo was unloaded at the port by a private company, with no involvement from port employees or workers. Official documents reviewed by Zawia3 reveal that the ship entered Alexandria Port under the agency of the Egyptian Maritime Consultation Office (EMCO), which also facilitated the passage of another ship to Ashdod Port in the occupied Palestinian territories on the same day. These documents confirm that the ship offloaded military materials: 309.712 tons labeled as “military” and 29 units labeled similarly. This data was initially published on Alexandria Port’s official website but was later removed following public backlash.

EMCO, as described on its official website, is a comprehensive shipping agency operating in all major Egyptian ports through offices in Alexandria, Port Said, and Suez. The company provides services to various types of ships and cargo, including timber vessels, general cargo, heavy-lift vessels, offshore oil service vessels, and specialized shipments. Its logistics subsidiary, EMCO Logistics, managed by Randa Farouk Abdullah (reportedly the daughter of a former naval officer), oversees sea and air freight, customs clearance, project cargo handling, and door-to-door export and import operations. EMCO Trans, with its fleet of heavy-duty trucks, handles domestic transportation of goods.

Sources revealed that the ship docked at Pier 22 in Alexandria Port, an area under the control of the Egyptian Navy. According to a source speaking to Zawia3, the cargo was unloaded using heavy equipment on the naval pier starting the evening of October 29, with warship sweepers reportedly used for the task.

Data from Alexandria Port indicated that Kathrin, initially scheduled to depart on February 5, expedited its departure to October 31. Generally, Egyptian laws and international agreements do not permit the unloading of such shipments without prior approvals, including notifying relevant authorities such as the Ministry of Defense or the Cabinet. Even in cases involving military agreements with other countries, unloading military cargo requires coordination with customs and official entities, as stipulated by the Customs Law.

Did the Shipment Reach Tel Aviv?

The international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement told us: “To ascertain whether the second ship carried the explosives offloaded from ‘Kathrin’ to a port in the occupied territories, it is imperative to question the relevant authorities and conduct a transparent, professional, and independent investigation, as the suspicion is clear. In the end, why is a ship loaded with military materials supporting the occupation allowed to use Egyptian waters and ports—a move that could expose the Egyptian authorities to direct legal liability under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide? And who authorized this after several African and European countries refused to allow the same ship to dock in their ports?”

They added: “Based on the monitoring conducted by international campaign activists within the BDS movement to obstruct ships carrying military materials destined to support the occupation, we have no definitive evidence about the fate of the cargo after it was unloaded at Alexandria Port. However, the strongest likelihood suggests it was reloaded and transported by some means, noting that many of these ships go off maritime tracking radars. For instance, a second ship was tracked leaving Alexandria for Ashdod after ‘Kathrin’ was unloaded, which raises clear suspicion.”

When asked about the possibility of approaching the Egyptian government for clarity, the movement said: “In the Palestinian National Committee for Boycott, the largest coalition in Palestinian civil society and the global leader of the BDS movement, we do not address authorities directly. Instead, we call on civil, popular, parliamentary, and trade union levels to apply pressure, demand accountability, and investigate any potential complicity. In this case, our demand is clear: a thorough, independent, and legal investigation into the background of why an Egyptian port received this ship, after being rejected worldwide. As the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory highlighted, any role in supplying or transferring weapons and military materials to Tel Aviv during its ongoing genocide in Gaza could constitute a serious violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the crime of crimes.”

They continued: “Any assistance in providing or transferring military equipment to Tel Aviv today could amount to a violation of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. As we highlighted in our statement, unloading this internationally prohibited cargo in Egypt contradicts international decisions and conventions that call on all states to refrain from providing any support for crimes against humanity and genocide. International obligations bind Egypt, under agreements such as the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, as a neighboring and sister state, to avoid any indirect partnerships that could be used to support Israeli genocidal crimes.”

The movement added: “Putting aside the blatant breach of international law, how can any Egyptian entity today, from an ethical, national, and patriotic standpoint, align itself with serving the Israeli enemy and enabling it to continue its televised genocide of our people? Has this entity forgotten that Israel is also the enemy of the Egyptian people?”

Official Denial

On Thursday evening, the Egyptian military spokesperson issued an official statement categorically denying all claims circulating on social media and suspicious accounts about assisting Tel Aviv in its military operations. The statement emphasized, “There is absolutely no form of cooperation with Tel Aviv,” adding that “the Armed Forces urge everyone to verify the accuracy of the information being circulated and reaffirm their role as the nation’s shield and sword, safeguarding its resources and protecting its great people.”

A high-ranking source also denied reports in what they described as “hostile” media outlets, alleging that Alexandria Port hosted the German ship Kathrin, which was carrying military materials bound for Tel Aviv. The source, in a statement obtained by Zawia3, asserted, “These lies are an attempt by anti-state elements and platforms to tarnish Egypt’s historic and steadfast role in supporting the Palestinian cause and people.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transportation, in a late-night statement on Thursday, denied that “the Egyptian government permitted a German ship to dock at Alexandria Port.” The statement clarified, “The news is completely false and baseless. The ship Kathrin, registered as Portuguese but flying the German flag, was allowed to dock at Alexandria Port to unload cargo for the Ministry of Military Production. The ship submitted an official request to depart the port en route to Haydarpaşa Port in Turkey to continue its journey.”

Complaint to the Public Prosecutor

Domestically, the incident sparked widespread outrage, prompting six lawyers to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor on Thursday morning against the Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, in his official capacity, the Head of Alexandria Port Authority in his official capacity, and the Executive Director of EMCO (the Egyptian Maritime Consulting Office). The complaint concerns the German ship “Kathrin,” which carried containers filled with explosives destined for the Israeli occupation army.

The ship was received at Alexandria Port on October 28, 2024, under a maritime agency agreement with EMCO after several countries refused to allow it to dock at their ports. These explosives, according to lawyer Mahienour El-Massry, are used by the Israeli occupation army to kill civilians in Gaza and, currently, in Lebanon, as they have been for more than a year.

Mahienour stated: “After meeting with some advisors from the Public Prosecutor’s office, we added to the complaint several journalistic and human rights reports concerning the ship’s route, its rejection by several countries, and its eventual acceptance in Egypt. The Public Prosecutor’s office requested that we rephrase the complaint to specifically demand an investigation into the veracity of the incident and the appropriate legal action if confirmed. Although the complaint was received, we have not yet been assigned a case number, and we were informed that we will receive one next Saturday.”

She added: “The entry of these explosive shipments into Egypt does not merely pose a threat to Egyptian and Arab national security; it also portrays Egypt as a country violating international resolutions and supporting the genocidal war against our Palestinian brothers and the aggression against our sisters in Lebanon. We reject Egypt being a transit point for any form of military or other support for the Israeli occupation.”

The complaint demanded that, after the incident is verified by the Public Prosecutor’s office, the ship be immediately seized and any military shipments destined for the Israeli occupation army via Egyptian territory be prevented. It also called for an urgent investigation into the incident and those responsible, which constitutes a grave violation of international laws, treaties, and norms, as well as local laws. Furthermore, it contradicts the Egyptian people’s longstanding opposition to the Zionist occupation of all Palestinian lands. The complaint also demanded an investigation into the Egyptian consultancy EMCO for its involvement in the crime and for the company to be added to the list of terrorist entities under the Law on the Regulation of Terrorist Entities Lists.

 

Damage to Egypt’s Reputation

Talat Khalil, a member of the Presidential Council of the Conservative Party and a leader in the Civil Movement, believes that the issue is extremely serious and affects Egypt’s international reputation. He emphasized that the International Criminal Court has issued a clear decision banning the arming of Tel Aviv, suggesting that this matter has international dimensions that could impact Egypt’s standing in the global community.

In an interview with Zawia3, he stated, “This issue not only has international implications but also touches on Egypt’s credibility and long history of supporting the Palestinian cause. Egypt has a long-standing tradition of supporting Palestine, shedding the blood of martyrs, conducting numerous negotiations, and playing a significant role over the years. When accusations like these are made against us, our credibility in negotiations comes into question. If such allegations are true, we risk transitioning from advocating for a just cause to aiding the arrogant Zionist enemy.”

He continued: “Domestically, there is significant unrest regarding this matter. A clear and direct statement from a senior official should have been issued, rather than an ambiguous declaration from an unidentified source. A statement of this magnitude should have been released by the Cabinet, given the gravity of the incident, and should include detailed information to refute the claims decisively.”

Khalil explained that the official response should have included precise records of ship entries and exits at Alexandria Port on the specified date, detailing the number, nationalities, and cargo of ships, as well as the storage and unloading locations of shipments. Such data, typically available to the Alexandria Port Authority, are regularly documented for all ships entering and leaving the port. No ship enters without having documentation proving its origin, destination, and the nature of its cargo.

Furthermore, under Egyptian customs law, all ships passing through Egyptian ports are required to provide clear documentation of their cargo, including its type and quantity. If a ship carries military equipment, prior approval from the relevant authorities is mandatory—a practice recognized internationally. Thus, any statement from a senior source with specific details should be supported by accurate data.

Regarding Egypt’s international credibility, Khalil warned, “These serious accusations harm our reputation and our ability to play an effective role in the Palestinian cause, especially given Egypt’s substantial support for this cause over the decades. Transitioning from being a primary supporter of Palestine to aiding the Zionist enemy would be a disaster by all measures. This enemy is a historical adversary of Egypt and the Palestinian cause.”

Navigation Between Cairo and Tel Aviv

In May, the Hebrew news site “port2port,” specializing in transportation and logistics, reported that the shipping company “Medkon Lines” decided to establish a new shipping route aimed at facilitating cargo operations between Cairo and Tel Aviv. The site explained that the company launched two new routes; the first connects the Italian port of Ravenna with Alexandria Port and the ports of Ashdod and Haifa in the occupied territories. The second directly links Egyptian ports with those of the Israeli occupation, with container ships operating on both routes.

Medkon Lines is one of the companies under the Egyptian Pan Marine Group, which was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Alexandria. The group, owned by Egyptian businessmen, operates in diverse fields, including maritime shipping and logistics services, and encompasses five companies, most notably “Pan Marine Shipping Services” and “Medkon Lines.”

Maritime data also revealed that the Egyptian container ship “Pan GG” has made continuous trips to the Israeli port of Ashdod from Egypt’s Port Said and Dekheila ports, coinciding with the Israeli occupation’s war on Gaza.

The data indicated that the ship completed 25 trips loaded with goods to Ashdod Port between mid-February 2023 and February 8 of this year, with a notable increase in trips to six in October compared to an average of two trips per month. In its latest journey, the ship departed Port Said on February 8 and arrived in Ashdod on the same day. It conducted no trips outside Egypt except for a single journey to Turkey’s Mersin Port in August.

A report confirmed that five Egyptian seaports have become key hubs for transporting shipments to the Israeli occupation during the war on Gaza. It tracked the activity of 19 Egyptian and foreign ships making regular trips between Egyptian ports and Israeli ports, taking advantage of the geographical proximity to reduce shipping costs.

The report covered ship movements over three months (June, July, and up to August 22, 2024), involving dozens of trips transporting cement and goods between Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta, Haifa, and Ashdod.

Data from ship-tracking platforms showed that some vessels, such as the German “LUCY BORCHARD” and the Egyptian “Pan GG,” have conducted frequent voyages between Egypt and Tel Aviv over the past two years. During the war, Egypt increased its exports and imports with the occupation; Egypt’s exports to Israel reached $170.1 million, while imports doubled to $331.6 million during the same period.

Among the most frequently sailing vessels between Egyptian ports and the Israeli entity are the cargo ship “LUCY BORCHARD,” flying the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and owned by a German company, and the Egyptian ship “Pan GG.” Data showed that “LUCY BORCHARD” sailed to Israeli ports 25 times in 2023 and to Egyptian ports 23 times. In 2022, it made 24 trips to Israeli ports and 24 trips to Egyptian ports as well.

Data also highlighted a significant increase in trade between the occupation and Egypt, reaching $35 million in June 2024, an increase of 29% compared to the same month last year. During the first six months of 2024, total trade between the two countries reached $246.6 million, achieving a growth of 53% compared to the same period in 2023.

Ahmed Gamal Ziada
Investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Zawia3. My work centers on holding power accountable and amplifying marginalized voices. I hold a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from ULB and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Journalism at VUB, building on my foundational studies in History and Civilization at Al-Azhar University.

Search