CETUS CACHALOT

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Phosphate ship arrives in Tauranga after allegedly 'hiding' its destination

The "Venture Pearl", carrying 55,000 tonnes of phosphate from Western Sahar, has arrived in Tauranga, having "disguised" its destination during its eight weeks at sea, according to activists, on July 24, 2019. The ship was carrying a load of phosphate from occupied Western Sahara, which will be turned into superphosphate and spread on farms across the country. Ships travelling to New Zealand with the phosphate have to take an elaborate route, avoiding most African countries - which consider the product stolen - and also avoiding the Panama Canal. The Western Sahara liberation movement Polisario Front has been tracking the "Venture Pearl" since it set sail from the territory's port, El-Aiun, at the start of June, and said the ship headed towards South America, stopping at Rio de Janiero in Brazil, and then sailed around Cape Horn. It had listed China as its final destination, before changing that to Tauranga about a week out from its arrival. Its cargo was listed as fertilizer. Report with photo: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114476208/phosphate-ship-the-venture-pearl-arrives-in-tauranga-after-allegedly-hiding-its-destination