Russian "Lada" vessel held in South Africa could leave Port Elizabeth in coming days - Russian embassy
MOSCOW. Aug 31 (Interfax) - The Russian Embassy to South Africa hopes that the Russian "Lada" vessel carrying a cargo of explosives, which was held in that country, will be able to leave Port Elizabeth in the next few days.
"We are hoping that the South African body in charge [of the matter], the Council for the Non-Proliferation, will give permission for the cargo [explosives used in mining] transit, possibly as early as today," the embassy said in a press release obtained by Interfax.
"Next is the question of getting the documents' originals delivered from the country's capital to the city of Port Elizabeth. All factors considered, we are expecting Lada to be able to leave Port Elizabeth in coming days," the embassy said.
"The Russian Embassy to South Africa and the Russian Consulate General in Cape Town are keeping an eye on the situation around Lada and maintain contact with South African authorities and the vessel's owner Transflot," it said.
"At the moment, there are no obstacles to providing the anchored vessel with provisions and fresh water supplies, the weather permits a delivery of supplies," the embassy said.
"Besides, the ship has its own desalination installation," the embassy said.