The specialist team that safely stabilized and transferred over one million barrels of crude oil from a decaying supertanker off the cost of Yemen, left the site on Monday, marking the end of a pivotal chapter in the UN-led operation to prevent a potentially disastrous oil spill in the Red Sea.
The meticulous effort onboard the rusting FSO Safer spanned months of preparation and nearly 13 weeks of execution by the SMIT salvage team, which was contracted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
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“The UN and the broad group of partners that support the Safer project have so far succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea which with obvious potential catastrophic environmental, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular UN press briefing, in New York.
Oil from the Safer was transferred to the replacement vessel Yemen, formerly known as Nautica. The Yemen cast off from the Safer Sunday night, local time, to a holding anchorage point pending the installation of specialized equipment for safely storing the volatile cargo.
Critical work remains
“However, critical work remains,” Mr. Dujarric continued, noting that a specialized buoy is yet to be delivered and installed to moor the Yemen to the Safer for safe storage of the oil, as well as the towing and recycling of the old tanker.
To complete the project, $22 million is still required. Generous Member States, the private sector and the global public have already provided $121 million in funding.
“We are counting on further generous support to finish this critical mission,” Mr. Dujarric urged.
Worst case scenario averted
A spill from FSO Safer would have devastated fishing communities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, and exposed thousands of communities to life-threatening toxins and caused irreversible damage to sea life, coral reefs and mangroves.
It would have closed the ports of Hudaydah and Saleef – which bring food, fuel and life-saving supplies into a country where 17 million are dependent on international assistance for survival.
Tourism also would have suffered greatly and vital shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Suez Canal could have been disrupted, costing billions of dollars per day.
The potential cost of clean-up alone was estimated at $20 billion.
War-ravaged
Constructed in 1976 as a supertanker and converted a decade later to be a floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) for oil, the Safer is moored about 4.8 nautical miles off the coast of Hudaydah Governorate in Yemen.
The vessel’s structural integrity deteriorated significantly due to lack of repair and maintenance following the outbreak of the war in Yemen in 2015, putting the ship at risk of breaking apart.
Lila Montgomery is a celebrated journalist who has a deep commitment to global affairs and humanitarian issues. Her extensive reporting on United Nations initiatives across the globe has brought critical stories to the forefront, stories that affect communities everywhere.
As an environmentalist, I applaud the extensive efforts made by the UN and its partners in preventing a potential environmental disaster in the Red Sea. The successful transfer of oil from the decaying tanker marks a crucial step in preserving the marine ecosystem. Let’s continue to support sustainable practices in safeguarding our planet’s delicate balance.
Has the UN provided any details on the next steps after transferring the oil to the replacement vessel?
The UN spokesperson highlighted that critical work still needs to be done after transferring the oil to the replacement vessel, emphasizing the ongoing importance of the operation’s next steps.
“The UN and the broad group of partners that support the Safer project have so far succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea which with obvious potential catastrophic environmental, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular UN press briefing, in New York.
“The UN and the broad group of partners that support the Safer project have so far succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea which with obvious potential catastrophic environmental, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular UN press briefing, in New York.Oil from the Safer was transferred to the replacement vessel Yemen, formerly known as Nautica. The Yemen cast off from the Safer Sunday night, local time, to a holding anchorage point pending the installation of specialized equipment for safely storing the volatile cargo.Critical work remains”However, critical work remains,” Mr. Dujarric continued, noting that a
“The UN and the broad group of partners that support the Safer project have so far succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea which with obvious potential catastrophic environmental, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular UN press briefing, in New York.Oil from the Safer was transferred to the replacement vessel Yemen, formerly known as Nautica. The Yemen cast off from the Safer Sunday night, local time, to a holding anchorage point pending the installation of specialized equipment for safely storing the volatile cargo.Critical work remains“However, critical work remains,” Mr. Dujarric continued, noting that a
As an environmental advocate, I am relieved to hear that the successful efforts prevented a major oil spill disaster. The meticulous work done by the SMIT salvage team must be commended for ensuring the safety of the Red Sea. Let’s hope the remaining tasks are completed efficiently to protect the environment.
“The UN and the broad group of partners that support the Safer project have so far succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a massive oil spill in the Red Sea which with obvious potential catastrophic environmental, humanitarian and economic repercussions,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at a regular UN press briefing, in New York. Oil from the Safer was transferred to the replacement vessel Yemen, formerly known as Nautica. The Yemen cast off from the Safer Sunday night, local time, to a holding anchorage point pending the installation of specialized equipment for safely storing the volatile cargo. Critical work remains. However, critical work remains,” Mr. Dujarric continued, noting that a
It’s incredible how the UN and diverse partners prevented a disastrous oil spill in the Red Sea. The meticulous effort and strategic planning by the SMIT salvage team were essential in ensuring the safe transfer of the oil. However, there is still critical work ahead to fully secure and store the volatile cargo on the replacement vessel Yemen.
Do you think the successful oil transfer mission will lead to long-term solutions for preventing such environmental risks in the future?
Dear EmilySmith, the successful oil transfer mission in Yemen signifies a significant step towards addressing and mitigating environmental risks in the future. It demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration and expertise in averting potential disasters, highlighting the importance of proactive measures and sustainable solutions. Let’s remain hopeful that this achievement sets a precedent for continued efforts in safeguarding our environment. – MarkJohnson
Did the team face any unexpected challenges during the operation to stabilize the oil tanker?
During the operation to stabilize the oil tanker, the team encountered several unexpected challenges, including unpredictable weather conditions and logistical complexities. Despite these obstacles, their meticulous planning and expertise ensured the safe transfer of the crude oil, ultimately preventing a potential environmental disaster off the coast of Yemen.