UAE welcomes operation to unload oil from decaying tanker off Yemen

The UAE has welcomed the start of a UN-led operation to unload oil from the tanker FSO Safer off the coast of Yemen in the Red Sea.

Its presence posed a major threat to the marine environment and international navigation and trade.

The conflict in Yemen led to the suspension in 2015 of maintenance operations on the decaying tanker, which has been moored off Yemen's coast for more than 30 years.

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) commended international efforts and endeavours of the United Nations over recent years which have resulted in the implementation of the unloading plan for the decaying FSO Safer tanker.

The ministry also praised the efforts of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen for their support  in facilitating the arrival of the replacement ship to begin the oil unloading process.

#UAE welcomes start of operation to unload oil from decaying tanker FSO Safer off the coast of #Yemenhttps://t.co/3gvpzRqY7c

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) July 27, 2023