The Haidar Shipwreck: A Decade of Neglect and Environmental Threats

A Disaster Waiting to Happen

In Brazil's Para state, the Haidar shipwreck remains a tick-ing time bomb. This isn't just any old ship; it's a disaster waiting to happen.

The Incident

• Ten years ago, this vessel sank near Vila do Conde port.
• 5,000 cattle lost their lives.
• 700,000 liters of oily mess spilled into the sea.

The Problem

• The ship is still there, full of oil, diesel, fuel, and lubricant.
• 215,000 liters of potentially catastrophic pollution just sitting under the water.
• In 2018, there was another spill, proving the threat is very real.

Legal Action

• Federal prosecutors have had enough.
• They're suing several agencies and companies, demanding:
• Removal of the hull and oily residues.
• Compensation of at least 5 million reais for the mess.
• 91,400 reais for the 2018 spill.
• Defendants:
• The federal infrastructure department.
• The state's environment agency.
• The port authority.
• The companies that owned the ship.

The Industry

• Para is big in live cattle exports.
• 370,000 head of cattle worth $344 million shipped in just one year.
• The cattle on board in 2015 were owned by beefpacker Minerva, but they're not part of the lawsuit.

The Question

• Why has it taken so long to deal with this?
• The Haidar shipwreck is a stark reminder of the environmental risks posed by our industries.
• It's time to clean up the mess and prevent future disasters.