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The Yemeni government has announced that the UN’s operation to unload oil from the rapidly deteriorating oil tanker, FSO Safer, moored off the port of Hodeidah since 2015, has been successfully concluded. The 45-year-old vessel had contained approximately 1.1 million barrels of oil and, as the vessel’s condition continued to worsen, there were concerns about the potential for a devastating oil spill even worse than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster.
The ship-to-ship transfer of more than 1.1 million barrels of oil from the FSO Safer to a replacement tanker, Nautica, now renamed Yemen, began on July 25th as a result of a operation that was orchestrated by the UN, with IMO support, and undertaken by Boskalis/SMIT salvage experts. The complex operation took around three weeks to complete.
Following the emergency operation to transfer the oil, a catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy will be installed to which Yemen will be tethered, and the removal of the FSO Safer for safe recycling will take place. Oil will be stored on Yemen while legal issues relating to the subsequent sale of the oil are resolved.
One of the private sector sponsors of the operation was Yemen’s HSA Group. Nabil Hayel Saeed Anam, Managing Director, said: “We are grateful for the efforts of all those who ensured that this operation could take place in a safe and timely manner, including the Boskalis/SMIT salvage team, UN personnel, the international community and all other stakeholders that have contributed. In particular, we would like to thank the Fahem Group, and especially Fathi Fahem, for the tireless efforts exerted in facilitating the arrangements between the parties. Both the Fahem Group and HSA Group’s efforts demonstrate the integral role that Yemen’s private sector can play in responding to crises and supporting communities in the country.”
He continued, “We hope that the successful resolution of this situation will stand as an example of the importance of collaboration and bold action in support of Yemen, and serve as an inspiration to all those seeking to bring an end to the conflict and restore peace and stability to the country.”
