The United Nations has achieved a significant feat by completing the safe transfer of oil from the FSO Safer supertanker located off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. This successful operation has effectively thwarted the immediate threat of a potential massive oil spill that could have triggered a dire environmental and humanitarian crisis.
The FSO Safer had been at risk of breaking apart or exploding for an extended period. The potential consequences of a major spill from this vessel could have led to severe environmental and humanitarian consequences.
The operation involved pumping the oil cargo from the FSO Safer onto the replacement vessel MOST Yemen (formerly Nautica) through a ship-to-ship transfer process. This operation, initiated in May and executed by leading marine salvage company SMIT, a subsidiary of Boskalis, was coordinated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The transfer has successfully removed a significant portion of the original 1.14 million barrels of oil cargo, with less than 2 percent remaining mixed with sediment. This residual oil will be extracted during the final cleaning of the Safer.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his satisfaction, stating that the completion of the oil transfer marks the prevention of a potential colossal environmental and humanitarian disaster.
Achim Steiner, the UNDP Administrator, acknowledged the tireless efforts of various UN entities, donors, and partners. He highlighted the significance of this accomplishment in averting a catastrophe in a country already grappling with prolonged conflict.
David Gressly, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, emphasized the collaborative global effort under the UN’s leadership. He praised the milestone achieved in preventing the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea. Gressly also emphasized the importance of continuing the work by installing a CALM buoy, which will securely tether the replacement vessel—a vital next step in ensuring the situation’s resolution.
For more details https://www.undp.org/press-releases/united-nations-completes-removal-oil-decaying-tanker-red-sea
