The United Nations (UN) has completed the initial phase of the rescue operation of the ‘Safer’ tanker, moored off the coast of the Red Sea in Yemen.
This stage involved inspecting and assessing the floating storage and offloading vessel.
The rescue plan for the tanker is spread over four stages and is expected to take 18 months. Experts are warning of the perilous consequences of any delay in the oil offloading process from the tanker due to the potential risk of severe environmental repercussions from a potential oil leak.
Earlier on Monday, the UN pledged $144 million to address the crisis of the ‘Safer’ oil tanker, which threatens a potential leak of 1.1 million barrels of crude oil off the coast of Yemen.
Meanwhile, the second phase will focus on the transfer of oil from the tanker to a temporary safe vessel during this summer. This operation is estimated to require $80 million.
This rescue operation underlines the critical environmental challenges faced in conflict zones and highlights the UN’s role in mitigating these potential ecological disasters.
