Morocco Demands Removal of Sunken Ship, Threatens Spanish Company with Embargo

According to Canariasenred, the alert came from the fishermen of Tarfaya who denounced the ecological disaster for which the ship Assalama is held responsible, by requesting the involvement of the Minister of Equipment and Transport, to dismantle and remove the ship.

Indeed, this ship, which has been stranded in the Port of Tarfaya for more than a decade, poses serious safety problems, due to the infiltration of "dangerous toxic substances that threaten marine wealth".

In a letter sent to Abdelkader Amara, the Moroccan Minister of Equipment and Transport, the fishermen denounce "the negative impact on the facade of the city and on the marketing opportunities of the image of Tarfaya, as a tourist destination, to diversify economic activities".

While it was operating the regular maritime line between Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) and Tarfaya, Assalama was forced to go to the Tarfaya pier due to bad weather, reports the same source.

The ship, which later ran aground halfway through its journey, remained stuck in Moroccan waters, half a mile from the Port of Tarfaya, after 41 years of operation.

During a meeting between the authorities of the two countries, Morocco clearly stated that it would not approve any operation before the removal of the ship, thus putting pressure on Blas Acosta, President of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.