Oil Slick Detected Off Yemen Coast Linked To Ship-to-Ship Transfers

A large oil slick has been seen off Yemen’s Hodeidah coast, in an area where oil is transferred between ships before being taken to the Houthi-controlled ports of Ras Isa and Saleef.

Satellite images taken in recent weeks show oil patches near Uqban and Al-Badi’ah islands. A large slick was seen north of Al-Badi’ah on August 19.

Farouq Al-Kamali, an expert in information verification and artificial intelligence, said the area is used for ship-to-ship oil transfers off Yemen’s western coast.

He said the slicks are likely linked to the transfers, which involve tankers and other vessels carrying oil to Ras Isa and Saleef.

Al-Kamali also pointed to the use of “dark vessels” in the area. These are tankers that turn off their tracking signals at sea, making them harder to track.

Tracking data showed that some tankers carrying Russian crude oil had travelled from the Mediterranean Sea before their signals disappeared as they approached the Hodeidah coast, Al-Kamali said.

On August 29, three dark tankers were seen transferring Russian crude oil to other vessels near Ras Isa port, he said.

The repeated appearance of oil slicks in the area has added to concerns about the environmental impact of the ship-to-ship transfers.

The pollution could affect marine life, coastal areas and fishermen who depend on the waters for their livelihoods.

There is no information about an official investigation into the cause of the slicks or any cleanup operation.

Ras Isa and Saleef Port

Ras Isa and Saleef are two important ports on Yemen’s western coast in Hodeidah Governorate.

Both are under Houthi control and are used to receive oil brought in through ship-to-ship transfers at sea.

The ports are located along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, close to the waters where oil slicks have recently been reported.

References: khabaragency, yementdy