Namibia authorities have blocked a vessel suspected of carrying military cargo intended for Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict from docking in the country. The ship, identified as the MV Kathrin, was stopped from entering Namibian waters after Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab confirmed that it was transporting explosive material destined for Israel.
The MV Kathrin, which departed from Vietnam, had requested permission to dock at Walvis Bay, Namibia’s largest commercial port, before potentially continuing its journey toward the Mediterranean via the Strait of Gibraltar. However, Namibia denied the ship’s docking request in alignment with the country’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
‘Namibia complies with our obligation not to support or be complicit in Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, as well as its unlawful occupation of Palestine,’ Minister Dausab told state media. The decision was reportedly influenced by Namibia’s ongoing support for the Palestinian cause and its call for an end to the violence in Gaza.
The vessel’s planned stopover in Walvis Bay raised concerns among rights groups, who warned that allowing the ship to dock could implicate Namibia in potential human rights violations. These concerns were echoed by the Economic and Social Justice Trust (ESJT), a Namibian human rights organisation, which welcomed the government’s decision to block the ship. ‘We are pleased that our government has decided to respect international law and decided not to be complicit in genocide,’ ESJT’s Herbert Jauch stated.
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) noted that it had not received pre-clearance documentation for the MV Kathrin and pledged to ensure the safety and security of Namibia’s territorial waters and ports. Namport also reiterated its support for Namibia’s position on international relations and protocols.
This incident follows Namibia’s neighbour, South Africa, in pursuing an ongoing case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—an allegation Israel has strongly denied.
The MV Kathrin was set to dock at Walvis Bay on Monday, but Namibia’s decision to block the vessel reinforces the country’s stance on the Gaza conflict and its commitment to international law.
