After spending three years stranded in a Belgian port, an Algerian commercial ship has finally returned home, marking a step forward in Algeria’s efforts to rebuild its maritime fleet.
The vessel, named Sedrata, had been stuck in the port of Antwerp due to technical problems that made it unfit to sail. Now, after a long period of repairs, inspections, and coordination, the ship has received all necessary certificates to resume operations.
According to a statement from the Algerian Maritime Transport Group, this recovery was made possible through teamwork involving the Ministry of Transport, the national transport group GATMA, the vessel’s operators, crew members, and technical experts. Their joint effort ensured the ship met all safety and regulatory standards required by international authorities.
The Sedrata’s return is part of a larger initiative by Algeria to reclaim several of its commercial vessels currently stranded in ports around the world. The goal is to strengthen the country’s maritime sector, which plays a vital role in trade, especially as Algeria aims to increase its non-oil exports.
Officials hope that recovering these ships will not only improve transport capacity but also reduce the country’s reliance on foreign shipping services. By bringing its ships back under national control, Algeria can better support its economy and assert its presence in regional and international trade routes.
The successful return of Sedrata shows what can be achieved through coordinated action and signals the beginning of broader recovery efforts that could see more ships return to Algerian waters in the near future.