In a remarkable feat of maritime engineering, Boskalis subsidiary SMIT Salvage, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), has successfully completed a salvage operation on the floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) Safer, stationed off the west coast of war-torn Yemen since 1987.
A Looming Environmental Catastrophe
The Safer, a single-hulled tanker with 1.14 million barrels of light crude oil, had become a ticking time bomb, posing an imminent risk of explosion or a massive oil spill with dire consequences for both humanity and the environment. Abandoned by its crew after the onset of the Yemeni civil war, maintenance ground to a halt, leading to a critical state of disrepair.
UN-Boskalis Collaboration: A Salvage Plan in Motion
After more than two years of negotiations, the UN engaged Boskalis in 2021 to devise a salvage plan and avert a potential humanitarian and environmental disaster. With funding from multiple countries, the salvage operation became a reality. Boskalis’ multipurpose support vessel, Ndeavor, was equipped in Rotterdam with a crane and all necessary salvage equipment, including pipes, hoses, and pumps, for the intricate ship-to-ship transfer.
Navigating Challenges in Yemen
Navigating the complex political situation in Yemen, the Ndeavor, via Djibouti, reached the FSO Safer in the Red Sea. The salvage crew conducted crucial gas measurements to ensure a ‘safe to access’ certificate before commencing the operation. Assessing the oil quality, inspecting pump and engine rooms, and addressing leaks in inert gas pipes were part of the meticulous planning, hampered by the lack of familiarity with the vessel due to the tense political climate.
Salvaging Success: UN, Boskalis, and the Yemeni Context
The salvage, conducted under the UN flag with the collaboration of 193 countries, involved liaising with both the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the de facto authority. Despite the challenging civil war backdrop, clear rules, transparency, and open communication were key to gaining trust and successfully executing the operation.
Mission Accomplished: A Global Effort
On August 28, the Ndeavor left Yemen after the successful ship-to-ship transfer of 1.1 million barrels of oil. Boskalis, with its expertise in salvage projects, showcased its capability to mobilize and execute complex operations professionally. The successful completion of this high-stakes project underscores Boskalis’ commitment to environmental stewardship and global cooperation in averting potential catastrophes.
