“Collaborative Conservation Efforts Prevail to Safeguard Red Sea, Despite Interference from Big Oil”

Yemen: Collaboration triumphs to protect Red Sea, no thanks to Big Oil

Crisis averted

The UN-led operation to remove over a million barrels of oil from the decaying FSO SAFER supertanker off Yemen’s coast has achieved a major milestone. This success is a testament to international cooperation and the unwavering commitment of organizations like Greenpeace and Holm Akhdar, which played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the dangers posed by the deteriorating supertanker. However, this achievement also highlights the indifference of the oil industry to the consequences of its actions. The fact that the operation was necessary in the first place is a stark reminder that communities and governments are often left to clean up the mess created by the oil industry.

Make polluters pay

As we celebrate this significant milestone, it is crucial to confront the reality that the oil companies responsible for this situation have shown a glaring lack of responsibility. Despite their record profits, major polluters like TotalEnergies, Exxon, OMV, and Occidental have not taken meaningful action to address the potential risks and consequences posed by the FSO SAFER. Instead, the cost of the salvage operation has been borne by UN members, the private sector, and individuals from around the world. This highlights the urgent need for greater accountability within the oil industry and the disparity between financial gains and ethical responsibility.

Shipbreaking: Do no harm

While we celebrate the successful resolution of the FSO SAFER crisis, it is important to recognize that the journey is far from over. The legacy of neglect and disregard for environmental consequences demands a transformative shift in the practices of the oil industry. Oil companies that have profited from this vessel should be responsible for its environmentally sustainable disposal. The vessel should be scrapped in a facility that complies with EU Ship Recycling Regulations, ensuring that it is not dismantled under rudimentary conditions with harmful consequences for the host country and its people.

Yemen oil risk not over

Storing the oil in a new vessel is not a final solution. The YEMEN tanker may be in better condition, but the crisis can only be fully mitigated by safely and completely removing the oil from Yemeni waters. The potential consequences of an oil spill in the Red Sea cannot be understated, as it could cause irreparable damage to coastal communities, fragile ecosystems, and marine life. It is imperative that we prioritize the protection of these vulnerable environments.

Demand climate justice

This successful operation serves as a reminder of the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. The FSO SAFER saga highlights the complicity of the oil industry in the climate and nature crisis and emphasizes the need for the industry to take decisive measures to rectify the damage it has caused. Averting a catastrophic oil spill in the Red Sea reinforces the demand for accountability, sustainability, and climate justice in our efforts to safeguard our planet and future generations.

Ghiwa Nakat is the Executive Director of Greenpeace Middle East North Africa.

Youth climate champions, United for Climate Justice campaign, on-board the Rainbow Warrior.

Take action: Tell oil companies that polluters must pay, not people.

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