Repaired vessel back on high seas

Wellard said this week the vessel had completed repairs and sea trials in Montevideo, Uruguay, and had returned to normal operations.

It underwent mechanical works in January, after one of two engines on the vessel's sister ship the M/V Ocean Outback failed in December.

The M/V Ocean Swagman is expected to begin loading a consignment of cattle in the next few days.

Wellard chief executive officer Mauro Balzarini said all its vessels were repaired.

"It is pleasing that the company's full fleet will be back in operation soon," Mr Balzarini said.

"We are receiving strong customer demand and sourcing sufficient supply for livestock to fill customer orders, so the fleet will be well utilised.

"We are also working on capitalising on new market opportunities in the coming months."

Wellard expects that on completion of the voyage, the MV Ocean Swagman will load cattle in South America as part of Wellard's strategy to develop global supply.

The M/V Ocean Swagman has the capacity to carry about 6000 cattle or 25000 sheep.

Wellard said the M/V Ocean Outback was expected to return to operation later in the month.

The sister ships have identical engines, which were built at the same time, and Wellard said it was working with the manufacturer to identify the cause of their issues.

The M/V Ocean Outback was stranded off Perth's coastline for two weeks over the New Year period and sailed on one engine from Fremantle port to Vietnam in mid-January.

The 5500 cattle and 7500 sheep on board were destined for Israel, but the vessel suffered engine trouble on December 29, before leaving the harbour.

The sheep were offloaded and transported to a pre-export quarantine feedlot, and after being inspected by a federal Department of Agriculture veterinarian, a Department of Agriculture and Food animal welfare officer and an RSPCA inspector, they were cleared to continue shipping.

Wellard said the vessel successfully discharged 5607 cattle in good health in Vietnam before getting repairs and has booked a program to load 40,000 cattle in March from Australia and South America.

The animals will be transported to various destinations in South East Asia and the Middle East.