With limited resources, the Yemeni government is racing against time to tackle an environmental crisis caused by the sinking of the UK-registered ship “Rubymar” in the Red Sea.
The sinking of the Rubymar, which carried a cargo of fertilizer and oils and previously leaked fuel, could cause ecological damage to the Red Sea and its coral reefs, according to the head of Yemen’s General Authority for Environmental Protection, Faisal Al-Thalabi.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Yemen’s environmental chief revealed that the sunken ship “holds 200 tons of diesel and 80 tons of mazut (fuel oil), both highly dangerous.”
“These substances will seriously harm the Red Sea's unique wildlife and pollute nearby shores and islands,” warned Al-Thalabi.
“The attack on the ship by the Iran-backed Houthi group caused its sinking, complicating rescue efforts,” he added.
The Belize-flagged Rubymar had been drifting northward after being struck by a Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile on February 18 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Al-Thalabi cautioned that the environmental damage from the sunken ship will spread to both surface and nearby groundwater wells near the pollution sites.
Desalination plants, which rely on seawater for drinking water in islands or nearby areas, will also be affected.
Al-Thalabi explained that besides fuel leakage, the marine environment will also be contaminated by phosphate and sulfur fertilizers reacting with seawater.
This reaction releases sulfur and phosphorus ions, reducing oxygen levels and harming marine biodiversity.
Al-Thalabi pointed out that sea pollution will fuel algae growth, depleting oxygen and blocking sunlight for marine life.
He emphasized that these substances, leaking into the seas or sewage systems, harm both the environment and human health.
Government Action
Regarding what actions the government can take with limited resources, Al-Thalabi noted the government recently forming a crisis team, which has taken various measures.
The measures include tracking the ship’s owner and flag state and urging its retrieval.
“Unfortunately, these calls haven’t received responses yet,” said Al-Thalabi.
“Simultaneously, the state has taken urgent steps. A team was sent to inspect the ship, and a contract was made with a specialized company for its salvage,” he added.
According to Al-Thalabi, meetings were held with relief organizations, the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and others.
“An appeal was made, highlighting the urgent need for assistance in finding solutions to the challenging situation,” he explained.
The Yemeni official stressed that while the government’s crisis cell is always active, the urgency for immediate solutions has intensified following the ship’s sinking.
Regarding the immediate response to the sinking, Al-Thalabi explained that authorities have enacted a plan, including worst-case scenarios, monitoring coastal areas with the Maritime Affairs Authority cooperating with various groups.
Regarding the possibility of the ship’s hull breaking, causing the sinking, Al-Thalabi suggested this might be a factor due to possible damage from the Houthi missile strike.
However, confirmation requires specialized teams to assess the seabed, which has been delayed due to adverse weather conditions, clarified Al-Thalabi.
He mentioned that a team from the Maritime Affairs Authority, tasked with combating marine pollution, went to the Port of Mokha. After their mission, the crisis cell will have full information in the coming two days.
Urgent Call to Action
With growing concerns about the disastrous environmental impact of the shipwreck, Yemen’s Prime Minister has urged swift international action to address the situation.
During a meeting with US Ambassador Steven Fagin in Riyadh, Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak warned of a major environmental catastrophe caused by the sinking of the ship.
The premier emphasized the need for international cooperation, urging the formation of an emergency team to rescue the Red Sea and tackle the environmental crisis.
