Accelerating Conversions of Livestock Carriers Amid Ongoing Conditions Issues

A new report prepared by a group of animal protection NGOs raises questions about long-standing issues with live export and livestock carriers, warning that the pace of ship conversions is accelerating.

An analysis of the global fleet of livestock carriers shows that the sector is characterized by outdated and deteriorated vessels, many of which should have been decommissioned years ago. These ships operate under low-performing flags, and classification societies in most cases do not provide the necessary oversight.

The problems of live export and the vessels themselves are well documented, and they are increasing pressure on governments to end this practice. Countries like Australia and New Zealand have already begun the process of phasing out live exports. However, the report, developed jointly by the German Animal Protection Foundation, the French organization Robin des Bois, and the Swiss Tierschutzbund Zurich, raises these issues again, reporting an increase in the number of vessels.

Sector analysis shows that from January 2024 to March 2026, 10 old vessels were converted into livestock carriers, while there were only three such conversions in 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, ownership remains in the hands of offshore companies and small or individual shipowners, while larger companies like Dutch Vroon Holding sold their live export operations in March, and Wellard, once described as the largest live export business in Australia, sold its last vessel in 2025.

Of the current fleet of 159 vessels, the report found that 84 percent (134 vessels) are old ships that have been converted to transport live animals, often with lower safety standards. The average age of a vessel is 45 years, and they have been converted after 28 years of operation as cargo ships. Fifty (50) vessels are over 50 years old.

Livestock carriers as a category have accumulated numerous deficiencies and detentions in port inspections. According to the report, 88 percent of port inspections in 2024 identified deficiencies, and 15 percent of vessels were detained, which is four times the average detention rate for all vessels.

More than half (54.6 percent) of the converted vessels sail under flags included in the Paris Memorandum's Black List. Only 4.3 percent of livestock carriers are under a flag from the White List. Most vessels (77 percent of converted vessels) operate with classification societies outside the international framework, which provides less oversight.

There is a small segment of specialized vessels (25) operating in this sector, 11 of which were previously owned by Vroon Holding. However, even these vessels average 17 years and have also been found with deficiencies during inspections. While they are generally under classification societies recognized by IACS and sail under flags from the Paris Memorandum's White List.

The report also warns of the emergence of a group of "ghost" livestock carriers. These vessels have not transmitted AIS signals for an extended period. While some may be out of service or decommissioned, others appear to continue operating.

Based on the poor performance of the segment, organizations are urging governments of all countries involved in the maritime trade of live animals to take protective measures. They are calling for stricter standards and the closing of safety gaps to protect animals, crew on vessels, and the ocean. They continue to insist on a ban on live exports, warning that as long as standards are not improved, new incidents with terrible conditions for animals and safety risks for vessels will occur.