The drillship Atwood Achiever - which is to undertake drilling in waters of occupied Western Sahara - is no longer in Las Palmas and has vanished into thin air.
Yesterday morning, 16 December 2014, WSRW reported that Atwood Achiever had arrived the harbour of Las Palmas.
That is no longer the case. Yesterday evening the drillship was located south east of Las Palmas harbour, heading rapidly south east direction. At 18:49 the vessel seemingly turned off its AIS transponder, thus making it invisible for monitoring.
Morocco is now to undertake the first oil drilling after it brutally occupied the territory of Western Sahara. In 2002, the UN Legal Counsel stated it would be illegal with any further oil exploration.
The Saharawis object to the plans. Leading human rights activists opposing the activities are facing life time sentences in Moroccan military jails.
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MEPs from across the political spectrum sharply criticised the European Commission over its handling of EU-Morocco trade relations covering occupied Western Sahara, raising concerns over legality, transparency and an apparent disregard for Parliament’s role.
SRI update
The following overview enlists stock-exchange registered companies with current or recent operations in occupied Western Sahara. Updated 16 April 2026
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