Cargo ship Volans (IMO 9430777) successfully unloaded its cargo at Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada, on June 16th, two days after the vessel was prevented from docking by a group of anti-Israel protesters. The vessel, operated by Israel-based ZIM Shipping Services Ltd on the ZIM Central China E-Commerce Xpress (ZX3) route, left port on June 17th, heading for Shanghai, China.
A self-described “Block the Boat” protest group had on Monday June 14th temporarily stopped the ship from docking by picketing the terminal entrance.
Block the Boat had previously prevented the ‘Volans’ from docking at the Port of Oakland, California, on June 4th, and has also staged protests and unsuccessful boycott efforts at the ports of Vancouver, New York and elsewhere.
B’nai Brith Canada CEO Michael Mostyn said that “these attempts to block Israeli shipping to Canada are deplorable and fortunately, so far unsuccessful. In a clear case of antisemitism, extremists in various Western countries are targeting these vessels solely because they are linked to the Jewish State.”
Anticipating Block the Boat’s spreading to Prince Rupert, B’nai Brith said on June 15th that it had urged Prince Rupert Port Authority to protect the flow of commerce and keep “the port open to Israeli shipping. “Law enforcement officials at all levels of government have an ongoing responsibility to ensure that Canada’s ports are not crippled by anti-Semitic boycotts”, the company said.
The vessel is currently underway from Prince Rupert to Shanghai
2010-built, Liberia-flagged, 41,225 gt Volans is owned by Bails Shipping Co care ofmanafger Costamare Shipping Co SA of Athens, Greece. ISM manager is Hansecontor Shipmanagement of Stade Niederelbe, Germany. It is entered with Swedish Club (Piraeus Team) on behalf of Bails Shipping Co.