The salvage operation centered around the decaying supertanker FSO Safer in the Red Sea has not only averted a potential environmental catastrophe but has also showcased the critical importance of rapid and effective action in safeguarding our oceans and coastlines. The Tradewindnews source.
- Salvage team successfully cleans and secures decaying supertanker FSO Safer, averting potential environmental disaster in the Red Sea.
- Replacement vessel Yemen receives transferred oil from FSO Safer, with the operation’s total cost surpassing $140 million due to challenges in finding suitable tonnage.
- The complex salvage mission’s accomplishment prevents a potential $20 billion cleanup operation, highlighting the critical need for international collaboration in addressing maritime crises.
A Risky Endeavor
In a daring operation, a salvage team from Boskalis’ Smit Salvage unit has accomplished the challenging task of cleaning the tanks of a decaying supertanker in the Red Sea. The vessel in question, FSO Safer, posed a significant threat of breaking apart and causing a massive oil spill off the coast of Yemen. The operation involved the removal of a staggering 1.1 million barrels of oil from the distressed vessel.
Transition to Safety and Environmental Protection
Following the successful clean-up operation, the salvage team has departed for Djibouti. Their efforts also included assisting in the mooring of a replacement vessel for FSO Safer. The oil extracted from the decaying supertanker has been safely transferred to the Yemen, a 307,300-dwt vessel. This replacement was secured through collaboration with Belgian tanker giant Euronav, which sold the Yemen to a United Nations-led initiative.
Challenges and Costs of the Operation
The salvage operation was not without its challenges and financial considerations. The total cost of the project has escalated to over $140 million, primarily due to the soaring cost of tonnage in 2022. Despite the increased costs, the mission is still in need of an additional $22 million to reach completion. The complexity of the operation was exacerbated by the struggle to find a suitable replacement tanker, given the global shortage of appropriate vessels.
Looking Ahead
The success of this salvage operation has prevented a potential environmental catastrophe with severe humanitarian, ecological, and economic ramifications. The United Nations estimated that a spill from the FSO Safer could have led to a cleanup operation costing a staggering $20 billion. The vessel, which had not seen maintenance since 2015 due to the Yemeni civil war, is now slated for towing and scrapping. As the salvage team’s vessel, Boskalis’ Ndeavor, returns to Rotterdam, this marks the culmination of a complex salvage endeavor that spanned several months.
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Source-tradewindsnews
