From Forbes, August 24:
150 million people live in six countries along the Red Sea, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti, Sudan Eritrea. The Red Sea coastline contains some of the regions most important population centers with Jeddah (4 million in Saudi Arabia), Port Sudan, tourist hotspots of Hurgada and Safarga, as well as the fast growing coastal cities of Djibouti, Massawa, Al Hodeidah, Eilat and Aqaba.
This region has some of the most unspoilt and richest coral reef ecosystems in the world, that have stayed relatively resilient from the climate crisis.
However, since July, concerns have been elevated that the entire Red Sea region is facing one of the world’s biggest environmental crisis: an oil spill of a magnitude never before seen in such a biodiversity sensitive area. Add in a world paralyzed with a coronavirus pandemic, and we have the perfect storm for a major humanitarian crisis that will play out in front of the world’s media.
There are now growing fears that the vessel could sink or explode - following water entering the tanker’s engine room. The rusting pipes and engine room that hasn’t been maintained for over five years, pose a particular hazard, as seen in dramatic footage taken last year.....MUCH MORE
If this was to happen, it would put the entire Red Sea, including one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes at risk of a major ecological catastrophe, the likes of which the world has never seen (most major oil spills have tended to be in lower population, remote locations).
Crude vs Bunker Fuel Oil Spills...
Previously:
July 19
Shipping: Derelict Oil Tanker With 1MM Bbl Cargo At Risk of Disintegrating Or Exploding
