A group of pro-Palestinian activists has attempted to disrupt a commercial voyage in the Mediterranean after surrounding a large containership operated by MSC.
The incident took place on April 20, when around 20 sailboats from the Global Summud Flotilla encircled the Panama-flagged containership MSC Maya while it was transiting between Libya and Malta. The vessel, with a capacity of over 19,000 TEU, was reportedly en route from Singapore to Ashdod, Israel.
According to the organizers, the action lasted nearly three hours. Activists claim they managed to slow the ship down and force a slight deviation from its course, increasing fuel consumption and delaying the voyage. These claims have not been independently verified.
The flotilla departed Barcelona on April 15 as part of a broader campaign aimed at drawing attention to the situation in Gaza. The group says 39 sailboats are involved in the first leg of the journey, with plans to gather additional vessels in Sicily before continuing toward Israel.
Activists allege the targeted containership was transporting “strategic materials” to Israeli ports. They stated the action was intended to disrupt supply chains and was inspired by dockworkers who have refused to handle cargoes linked to military shipments.
Such actions raise concerns over navigational safety, particularly when small craft operate in close proximity to large commercial vessels. Encirclement maneuvers can limit a ship’s ability to maneuver and increase the risk of collision, especially in busy sea lanes.
The organizers described the incident as a “model for further escalation,” indicating that similar attempts to interfere with commercial shipping could follow.
