Tanker FSO Safer abandoned: "A time bomb" off Yemen, warns UN

A satellite image distributed on July 15, 2020 shows a close-up view of the tanker FSO Safer, on June 17, 2020. Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies via REUTERS

Text by: Nicolas Feldmann Follow

5 min

The FSO Safer, a supertanker loaded with more than a million barrels of oil, has been abandoned off Yemen since the war began in 2015. On March 9, the UN announced the purchase of a gigantic tanker to prevent the tanker from sinking in the Red Sea. David Gressly, UN coordinator of humanitarian aid in Yemen, responds to RFI.

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RFI: Why talk about a "time bomb" off Yemen?

The FSO Safer is an oil storage vessel that has been off the coast of Hodeidah port since 1988. Originally, it was used to facilitate the export of oil to eastern Yemen. But since the beginning of the war, eight years ago, it has been abandoned with 1.1 million barrels of oil on board. The ship is no longer maintained and it is deteriorating.

► READ ALSO: Yemen: concern grows about the risk of oil spill in the Red Sea

Normally, these vessels are equipped with systems to limit the risk of fire: "inert gases" are diffused into the cargo tanks. But this gas has been missing on board for at least four years. This means that the slightest flame, the slightest spark can detonate the ship, sink it and release into the ocean the equivalent of more than a million barrels of oil. Not to mention that due to lack of maintenance, the ship has become fragile and also threatens to break.

The disaster risk is enormous. We are facing a risk of an oil spill that could affect African countries, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti and block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. This disaster can happen tomorrow. This is very serious, because it is no longer a question of whether this disaster will happen, but when it will happen. That is why we must act.

On March 9, the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) announced a plan to avoid this disaster, with the purchase of a huge tanker, intended to unload the tanker's cargo. How will this operation take place?

The mission is very simple. We found a ship via Euronav to unload the oil stored on board the FSO Safer. However, we also need to prepare for the operation. For this, we work with a Dutch company. Its mission will be to restore on board the tanker these inert gases that aim to limit the risk of fire.

This company will also be responsible for repairing the tanker where necessary, installing floating barges all around it to prevent any leaks or accidental spills of oil. The operations must last a total of ten weeks. It's not very complicated in terms of logistics, but it's a major project. And we must realize it as soon as possible to avoid a catastrophe.

The problem is that the funds are still lacking?

Exactly. We have enough funds to finance the ship that will unload the oil, but we still lack the money to carry out the security operation. That is why we are soliciting the Member States and the private sector. We have already raised about $95 million.

And we launched an online crowdfunding campaign that helped us reach $250,000, a quarter of our goal. It is still not enough. That is why, with this new round, we hope to raise an additional $250,000 and reach half of our goal. This will enable us to solve this problem as quickly as possible, and we need to raise these funds quickly.

At the same time, war continues to rage in Yemen. And here too, the United Nations needs the funds. The last donors' conference, on 27 February in Geneva, raised $1.2 billion in pledges. This is almost four times less than expected. Where are the priorities today?

First, there is the issue of food insecurity, aggravated by a very difficult economic situation. Thousands of businesses have disappeared with the conflict, leaving people without income. Public services, access to water and health must be maintained. If we do not, these services are at risk of collapsing and will be very difficult to restore.

We are also very concerned about issues of protection and social inclusion. We have more than 4.3 million displaced people at present. It is therefore a combined effort on food security, nutrition, water. This massive crisis can only be resolved through peace. But while waiting for peace, we need funding.

On March 10, Iran and Saudi Arabia, both engaged in a proxy war in Yemen, announced the restoration of diplomatic relations. Have you ever noticed any developments on the ground?

The restoration of relations between States is always welcome. However, I think the most important thing, in terms of benefits for the people of Yemen, is the truce that started almost a year ago, on April 2, 2022. Although it has not been renewed, it has been widely respected and benefits the Yemeni people. I've seen it over the past year: fuel is coming in, businesses are picking up, and people are having revenue again.

The cessation of airstrikes is psychologically very positive for people. As we have just entered the month of Ramadan, I have seen more shops and restaurants open, people move more freely. Much has been done and I think we should encourage peace negotiations.

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Read on on the same topics:

  • Yemen
  • Djibouti
  • Eritrea
  • Somalia
  • UN
  • Petroleum
  • Environment