The Tribune

THE arrival of two armoured vehicles at the Nassau Container Port at Arawak Cay last week has raised some eyebrows.

The Tribune understands that the armoured vehicles, along with two 20ft containers, were offloaded by the China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company or COSCO Group and consigned to the Ministry of National Security from the government of China. However, The Tribune was unable to confirm the shipment with the ministry up to press time. The cargo was reportedly delivered to the Defence Force base in Coral Harbour.

COSCO is described as a Chinese shipping and logistics services supplier company. It is among the world’ top ten shipping companies.

The name of the ship was Mu Dan Song, The Tribune can confirm, and the cargo was loaded at Dalian Port in China. In addition to the two containers - the contents of which are unknown - there were two armoured vehicles.

The armoured vehicles were painted in camouflage, but had no visible guns.

In January, 2016, the government announced that it had received a $1.2m gift from the People’s Republic of China. At the time, National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said the gift was the result of a 2015 meeting with the Chinese government that afforded the Royal Bahamas Defence Force an opportunity to outline its needs.

He explained that the money would be used to purchase military equipment, including armoured vehicles, anti-riot grenade launchers, tear gas grenades and other items.

Dr Nottage said at the time, “We have got a shortlist here of 33 different types of items which include two armoured vehicles for the Defence Force, two 38 automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, anti-riot gear sets, and portable low-light level night vision goggles - 60 of those.”