Bomb about to explode! Ship abandoned for 3 decades with 1 million barrels of oil could cause unprecedented maritime tragedy

The oil tanker FSO Safer has been abandoned for over 30 years off the coast of Yemen, potentially causing an oil spill.

an abandoned oil tanker, with the threat of causing an unprecedented ecological catastrophe, has been drawing the attention of the world. The ship, with a load of approx. 1 million barrels of oil, has been anchored off the coast of Yemen for more than three decades. Recently, an operation led by the United Nations began the delicate task of unloading the vessel, called FSO Safer, in an attempt to prevent a maritime tragedy.

Imminent humanitarian and environmental crisis

Should an oil spill occur from the derelict ship, the repercussions would be devastating, not only for the environment, but also for the Yemeni population. an oil spill would cause the closure of the country's vital ports, through which food and fuel pass, directly impacting the lives of around 17 million people. It is noteworthy that Yemen already suffers from a humanitarian crisis due to a prolonged internal conflict.

The operation to download the abandoned oil tanker, estimated at US$141 million, is a challenging undertaking. Several UN member countries are funding the mission, with additional funds coming from private donors.

The oil removal process is being carried out with extreme care to prevent the tanker from disintegrating or an explosion occurring. The team is currently pumping between 4.000 and 5.000 barrels of oil per hour. Full transfer completion is estimated to take 19 days.

The dangers of an oil spill

A possible oil spill from the abandoned oil tanker would cause considerable damage to marine fauna. It is estimated that fish stocks would be damaged for up to 25 years, affecting around 200.000 fisherman jobs. What's more, the oil spill could reach the African coast, causing untold damage.

The impact in terms of public health would also be significant, with the risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular or respiratory disease increasing by 530% for those directly exposed, according to a Stanford University study.

The issue of oil ownership

The fate of the oil aboard the derelict ship remains unclear. Despite belonging to the Yemeni state company SEPOC, ownership is still a matter of dispute. The oil situation is complex due to the ship's location in an area controlled by Houthi rebels and the company's headquarters in a government-controlled city.

Oil removal is undoubtedly a critical and urgent issue. However, the situation does not end with the successful transfer of the material. There is still a danger of sticky oil residues inside the tank and the ship still remains vulnerable to collapse. Meanwhile, the world is watching closely, hoping that the threat of an imminent maritime tragedy can be avoided.