Boats carrying rosewood off the beach at Maroantsetra in October 2009.
Local reports indicate French shipping company Delmas is planning to pick up more than 200 containers carrying rainforest hardwoods from the port of Vohemar on December 21 or 22. It is believed that at least some of the timber has been illegally logged from Madagascar’s national parks, especially Masoala and Marojejy. The shipment has a retail value of at least $40 million.
Delmas has been made aware on several occasions that the shipment contains illegal wood but has refused to take action to date.
More details on the situation can be found at:
Background is also provided in this video:
Credits
Rhett Butler Editor
