The UN revealed on Friday that a crucial operation to extract more than 1 million barrels of oil from an aged tanker, moored near the conflict-stricken Yemen coast, has been triumphantly completed. This achievement has sidestepped an impending environmental catastrophe. It also represents a significant milestone in upholding the ecological equilibrium of the region.
Years of Apprehension Met with Resolute Action
Farhan Haq, the Deputy Spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized that this endeavour has effectively thwarted what could have been a “monumental environmental and humanitarian catastrophe.”
The process of transferring the oil from the deteriorating vessel, known as FSO Safer, commenced on July 25. Almost all of the oil has now been successfully moved onto a replacement tanker named MOST Yemen.
Mitigating a Potential Ecological Crisis
Prior to the transfer, the Safer contained an oil volume four times greater than that which was spilt during the infamous Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989 along Alaska’s coast. This incident is regarded as one of the world’s most severe ecological disasters, as highlighted by U.N. records.
Prompted by international concerns, the transfer operation was initiated to avoid a potential catastrophe. The Safer had been deteriorating over time and held risks. Either a spill or an explosion due to damaged pipes and seawater contamination within its engine compartment.
David Gressly, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, hailed the operation as a success. Asserting, “Today, we can say that the United Nations and a remarkably broad group of partners have succeeded in preventing the worst-case scenario of a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea.”
Positioned approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) from Yemen’s Hodeida and Ras Issa ports on the western Red Sea, the Safer’s location adds to its geopolitical significance. This area is controlled by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, engaged in a conflict with Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Overcoming Challenges
Resolving disputes over the oil’s removal, which had caused delays, required a cooperative international effort. A U.N.-led initiative eventually facilitated access to the vessel and garnered essential financial support from international donors.
While this successful oil transfer is undoubtedly a crucial achievement. The next steps involve securing further funding to transport the oil to a safer location and to move the Safer itself. A small residue of oil remains within the Safer’s hull, necessitating the implementation of a secure mooring system for the replacement tanker in deeper waters.
The U.N. clarified that “as much of the 1.14 million barrels have been extracted as possible.” However, a minute fraction of the original oil cargo remains intermixed with sediment. A challenge that will be addressed during the Safer’s final cleaning phase.
The United States commended the successful operation and called for continued international support to ensure the project’s completion.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken asserted, “The U.N. urgently needs the international community and private sector’s financial support to fill the remaining $22 million funding gap needed to finish the job and address all remaining environmental threats.”