UN Yemen: Technical Support Team Report | MV Rubymar - March 2024

1. Executive Summary

At the request of the Government of Yemen, the United Nations mobilized a team of 15 members to work jointly with the Yemen Crisis Cell for two weeks and deliver a technical report to provide an analysis and recommendations on the best way to address the sinking MV Rubymar.

The report provides an analysis of the cargo and the oil, and their potential toxicity and effects on the environment. Based on the data available at this stage, the vessel will probably continue to sink until it reaches the seabed with a slow, release of the cargo and the oil.

While the cargo in the only compromised hold (#5 hold) will be released over weeks, it is likely that the cargo in the remaining four holds will remain for years until watertight integrity is lost, either through structural failure or degradation of the hull. Other than the risk of algal blooms, the cargo poses no major environmental hazard, as it presents no direct toxicity, and it dissolves in water. The local population should therefore be informed that the cargo does not present a health risk for human consumption of fish and other seafood, unless an algal bloom is observed, in which case fishing and collection of shellfish (aquaculture activities) should be avoided in the area nearby the algal bloom.

It appears that all uncontained oil from the vessel has already released and dissipated, so it is unlikely that there will be a significant release of oil, unless in case of structural failure. In the event that oil is released, the potential impact will likely reach the shore.

As result, under the current circumstances, there is no risk of an immediate environmental disaster.
However, it is recommended to conduct regular subsea monitoring of the impact of any release of cargo and oil, via a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Regular surface monitoring should also include water sampling and analysis, regular aerial and satellite images, and coastguard patrols to keep the area safe.

It is also recommended to initiate and adjust preparedness activities in the environmentally sensitive Hanish islands during this season, their designation as a marine protected area, and then along the southern coast when the Red Sea current switches from north to south. Immediate preparedness actions should include planning for shoreline cleanup operations if/when the oil impacts the shore, prepositioning shoreline cleanup equipment, and preparing logistics for rapid mobilization of offshore/nearshore equipment and booms/skimmers.

The report also considers the application of international maritime conventions. While the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions tend to have exemptions for acts of war or willful act of harm by a third party and are therefore unlikely to apply in this instance, the report provides guidance on activating some conventions and advises the GoY on which other key conventions to ratify.

Finally, the report provides recommendations for the implementation of a long-term preparedness and capacity-building plan for the Government of Yemen to ensure a rapid and effective response to similar environmental emergencies.