The Haidar Shipwreck: A Decade of Neglect and Environmental Threats

In Brazil's Para state, the Haidar shipwreck remains a ticking time bomb. This isn't just any old ship; it's a disaster waiting to happen. Ten years ago, this vessel sank near Vila do Conde port, taking 5, 000 cattle to their watery graves and spilling 700, 000 liters of oily mess into the sea. The problem? The ship is still there, full of oil, diesel, fuel, and lubricant. That's right, 215, 000 liters of potentially catastrophic pollution just sitting under the water. And it's not like this is ancient history. In 2018, there was another spill, proving that the threat is very real. Federal prosecutors have had enough. They're suing several agencies and companies, demanding the removal of the hull and oily residues. They want compensation, too - at least 5 million reais for the mess and 91, 400 reais for the 2018 spill. The defendants? The federal infrastructure department, the state's environment agency, the port authority, and the companies that owned the ship. Para is big in live cattle exports, shipping out 370, 000 head of cattle worth $344 million in just one year. But the Haidar shipwreck is a dark spot on this otherwise thriving industry. The cattle on board in 2015 were owned by beefpacker Minerva, but they're not part of the lawsuit. The question is, 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.