The MV Kathrin, a ship believed to be carrying explosives intended for Israel, plans to disembark part of its cargo in the Slovenian port of Koper after previously stopping in Montenegro, RTV SLO reported on October 3.

The ship, which departed from Vietnam in mid-July, is reportedly carrying eight containers of the explosive hexogen and 60 containers of TNT.

According to Slovenia’s Maritime Administration, the vessel’s cargo is also destined for Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, though concerns surrounding the shipment have drawn international attention. 

Jadran Klinec, director of Slovenia's Maritime Administration, confirmed media reports from Portugal that the shipowner intends to change the vessel’s flag. However, the process of transferring the ship from the Portuguese registry to another country has not yet been completed.

Due to the situation, officials have not been able to provide a precise date for the ship's expected arrival in Koper.

Citing unnamed sources, Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG reported that the country's authorities have refused to allow the ship entry into the port of Bar, prompting the vessel to consider docking at the Croatian port of Ploce.

Currently, the MV Kathrin has reportedly taken down the Portuguese flag and remains in international waters in the southern Adriatic Sea, near Croatian territorial waters by the island of Lastovo. According to online ship tracking platforms Vesselfinder and Marinetraffic, the vessel is destined for Bar and is expected to arrive there during the weekend.

In response to the vessel’s controversial cargo, Amnesty International issued a warning on October 1, urging both Slovenia and Montenegro to deny the MV Kathrin entry.

The human rights organisation expressed concern that the ship’s cargo could contribute to potential war crimes, given the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The MV Kathrin was previously prevented from docking in Namibia in August for similar reasons.

Despite the controversy, Slovenia’s Maritime Administration announced that it will not prevent the ship from entering Koper if the appropriate arrival notice is submitted.