Syria chemical weapons moved to US ship in Italy

A ship carrying deadly material from Syria's chemical weapons programme has docked in Italy, in the final phases in the destruction of the arsenal.

Danish vessel Ark Futura arrived at the port of Gioia Tauro with a cargo that includes mustard gas and components of the nerve agents, VX and sarin.

The material is being transferred to a US naval vessel for eventual neutralisation at sea.

Syria agreed to the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile last year.

The deal - backed by the UN and brokered by the US and Russia - was struck amid the threat of US air strikes, triggered by a sarin gas attack on a rebel-held suburb of Damascus.

Security cordon

The latest shipment marks the closing phases in the operation to destroy Syria's toxic arsenal.

The Danish vessel docked on Wednesday morning, accompanied by Italian coast guard ships and a military helicopter.

Its cargo is being transferred amid tight security, with access roads to the port sealed off.

The Ark Futura docked next to the US vessel MV Cape Ray

The two ships were connected by a ramp as cranes began lifting containers from one to the other

Italian authorities have been keen to dispel concerns over the safety of the operation

Cranes have been seen lifting large containers on to the US navy ship, MV Cape Ray, in an operation that is expected to last 20 hours.

The US vessel is equipped with a plant where the bulk of the chemicals can be neutralised by the process of hydrolysis.

During hydrolysis, the chemical agents are broken down with hot water and then further neutralised with sodium hydroxide - also known as caustic soda or lye.

The BBC's Rome correspondent, Alan Johnston, says this process will only begin after the American ship has steamed far out to the sea - because of its hazardous cargo.

Any remaining waste is expected to be buried on land, in purpose-built facilities.

Italy's Environment Minister, Gian Luca Galletti, said on Twitter that he was proud of his country's "contribution to international security", adding that the operation at Gioia Tauro was transparent and environmentally safe.

However, a trade unionist at the port told AFP he was concerned about the transfer. "This is not a routine operation, it's a military operation and we are very worried," Domenico Macri said.

"If there's an accident, a container breaks or falls, the substances which would come out could do serious damage," he said.