An Urgent Operation to Avert Disaster
The United Nations has launched a complex maritime salvage effort in the Red Sea off the coast of war-torn Yemen to transfer one million barrels of oil from the deteriorating FSO Safer to a replacement vessel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the gravity of the situation, calling it the world’s largest ticking time bomb. The transfer aims to prevent a catastrophic spill that could have devastating environmental and economic consequences.
Challenges Loom as the Operation Commences
The transfer of 1.14 million barrels of Marib light crude from the 47-year-old FSO Safer to the new vessel is expected to take less than three weeks. However, experts warn that success is not guaranteed due to scorching summer temperatures, ageing pipes, and lurking sea mines posing potential threats to the operation. The UN Development Programme’s spokesperson, Sarah Bel, urges caution during the emergency phase of the project.
A Costly Environmental Disaster Averted
The UN has allocated $143 million for the operation, with the hope of averting an environmental disaster that could cost an estimated $20 billion to clean up. The Safer’s position in the Red Sea makes the risk of a spill even more significant, potentially causing billions of dollars in shipping disruptions through vital waterways and severely impacting ecosystems, fishing communities, and lifeline ports.
Challenges and Disputes Ahead
The FSO Safer, a floating storage and offloading facility, has been moored near the port of Hodeida since the 1980s, and it has not been serviced since the Yemeni civil war began eight years ago. Disputes are expected over the ownership of the oil and the replacement vessel, the Nautica (renamed Yemen), which could complicate the operation further.
Hope for Peace Amid the Crisis
While Yemen continues to face one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, progress on resolving the Safer crisis is seen as a positive sign. Some believe that successful cooperation between the parties involved in the operation could potentially pave the way for a more durable ceasefire, which is crucial for achieving peace in the region. However, the road to peace remains challenging, and there are many unresolved issues that need to be addressed beyond the Safer crisis.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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