Oil Spill Emergency Response for Safer Salvage Operation in Yemen ltp class="MsoNormal"gtThe Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) vessel Safer, constructed in 1976, is
moored approximately 8 kilometres off the coast of Yemen and 50 kilometres
northeast of the port of Hodeida. The vessel is single-hulled, 362 meters in
length, and is believed to
be laden with 1.148 million barrels of light crude oil. FSO Safer has
been under the de facto authorities (DFA) in Sana’a since March 2015.
Production and offloading operations are suspended due to the conflict, and no
maintenance operations have been undertaken for seven years. It is now
uninsurable, with an expired certificate of seaworthiness. Hence the vessel is
at risk of spilling oil due to leakages, an explosion from the accumulation of
volatile explosion gases, or a strike from a floating sea mine. the project aims to prevent a
potential of significant spill that could occur at any time, discharging
its cargo of oil along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and towards its neighbouring
countries.  ltbrgt
The disaster would quickly surpass national capacity and resources to respond
effectively. The lives and livelihoods of up to 12 million people will be directly
affected, with the unique environment of the Rea Sea experiencing enormous
damage above and below the water. Recovery from the oil spill could take up to
3 years and potentially cost US $20 billion without urgent intervention. Life
below water is not anticipated to recover for 25 years. In addition, one of the
world’s major shipping lanes could be affected, impacting many more people
globally. ltbrgt
The overall UNDP project
supported by multiple donors (i.e., Safer Salvage Operations Project
(SSOP) aims to prevent the oil from spilling into the Red Sea. Its oil spill
Contingency Component (sub-project) focuses on preparing for action in case of
a spill, which would further exacerbate an already fragile context, where there
is low household purchasing power, inflation and high prices of food, fuel and
other essential commodities. Preparedness and contingency efforts are therefore
essential to mitigating and offsetting these ramifications as they would enable
life-saving interventions, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, in the context
of immediate interruption of the food supply chain and livelihoods due to the
closure of Hodeida port.ltbrgt
Linked to this, the
YHF project will largely help with the objective of the ongoing
contingency plan which will also contribute to future preparedness
efforts and will set a good global example for similar potential environmental
disasters in the future, particularly on the coastline of the Red Sea. Even
when the risk is low, the expertise and equipment will still be useful. Lessons
learnt will be shared with donors and the wider humanitarian community after
the closure of the project.ltbrgt
The overall project shall be achieved by mobilizing high-profile salvage assets
(including a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and installation of a Catenary
Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy, offloading the oil from FSO Safer to the VLCC
under the highest possible industry standards in addition to placing a
well-coordinated and effective oil-spill contingency preparedness and response
plan on standby.  ltbrgt
Lessons learned from earlier attempts at salvaging the FSO Safer and preventing
an imminent disaster have been addressed to the extent possible by the
UN-coordinated SSOP to forestall a replication of the earlier problems. For
example, under the leadership of the UNRC/HC, IRG acknowledges the common
interest in preventing an oil spill and agrees that the only effective way
forward is to engage with the DFA to find a solution.  The consent of the
SLC has also been obtained and assurances have been given that the area around
the FSO Safer shall be designated a no-strike zone via the UN’s normal
deconfliction procedures. All parties stress the need for urgent action and see
the avoidance of a humanitarian and environmental disaster as of the utmost
importance.lt/pgtltp class="sceditor-nlf"gtltbrgtlt/pgt