There are 159 ships officially registered to transport live animals around the world. Just 25 were purpose-built for the job. The remaining 134 vessels – 84% of the global fleet – began life as ordinary cargo ships, only later being converted to carry cattle, sheep and other animals across the world’s oceans.
Those are just some of the findings from the 2026 Global Livestock Fleet report, a landmark international investigation into every livestock carrier currently operating worldwide.
The report reveals a fleet that is ageing, repeatedly cited for technical deficiencies and subject to detention by port authorities at rates far higher than the rest of the global shipping industry.
Among its key findings:
- 159 officially registered livestock carriers operate worldwide
- 84% are converted cargo ships rather than purpose-built livestock vessels
- Converted livestock carriers average 45 years of age
- They have accumulated an average of 242 technical deficiencies during their lifetimes
- In 2024, deficiencies were identified during 88% of inspections
- 15% of livestock carriers were detained by port authorities in 2024 – almost four times the average for all ship types
- Livestock carriers have been identified as the world’s highest-risk shipping sector for six consecutive years
Despite these warning signs, the report estimates that tens of millions of live animals continue to be transported by sea every year.
Compiled by the Animal Welfare Foundation, French NGO Robin des Bois and Swiss animal protection organisation Tierschutzbund Zürich, the report goes beyond animal welfare to examine maritime safety, environmental compliance, crew welfare and the regulatory systems that allow ageing vessels to remain in service.
For anyone seeking to understand the global live export industry, this is the most comprehensive examination of the fleet ever published.
The evidence is difficult to ignore: a global trade worth billions continues to depend on ships that were never designed to transport living animals.
Stop Live Export South Africa joins organisations around the world in calling on governments to end live animal exports by sea, close regulatory loopholes and protect animals, people and the marine environment.
- Read the full 2026 Global Livestock Fleet Report and explore the data behind the world’s live export fleet.
Join the movement to stay informed
- Sign the Petition to ban live export by sea
- Subscribe to the Stop Live Export SA newsletter
- Facebook: Stop Live Export SA
- Instagram: @stoplxsa
- Website: stopliveexport.co.za
