By, Ahmed Abdu-Almalik Al-Ansi, Yemeni journalist and translator.
The United Nations announced Tuesday the start of the withdrawal of the abandoned oil tanker Safar off Yemen’s strategic port of Hodeidah in the Red Sea. The United Nations hopes that the $143 million operation will eliminate the risk of an environmental disaster that could cause some $20 billion in damage.
Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Al-Ezzi: We, the United Nations, and parties in the International Community agree to continue efforts for maintaining and pumping process Oil into the “Yemen Vessel” from FSO Safer under current circumstances in this transition period for peace.
Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for the Implementation of the Safer Agreement, Zeid Al-Wishali: The Oil pumping process began yesterday, July 25, 2023, and it was successful in its first phase.
Al-Wishali: The United Nations-contracted Cement Transport Company assumes our oversight role.
Al-Wishali: The discharge process with the washing tanks of FSO Safer will continue for approximately 52 days, and between 1 million and 140,000 barrels will be discharged, according to plans that we received from the UN.
Al-Wishali: We reassure the Yemeni people, the world, and all those who care about the marine environment that the risk of the Saffar ship being leaked was stopped three years ago through our national teams and with great efforts, which we first declare.
