IMO States That Red Sea Salvage Not Yet Feasible

Salvage teams won't start clearing debris from Houthi assaults until peace is restored in the Red Sea, declared the leading authority on maritime regulation yesterday.

At a London news conference marking the beginning of the 81st Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) session, Arsenio Dominguez, the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Secretary-General, expressed that salvage efforts for two damaged vessels near Yemen are improbable due to ongoing drone and missile strikes on commercial ships in that area.

In recent months, over 65 commercial vessels have come under attack from Houthi rebels, who, supported by Iran, have aligned with Hamas amid the continuing conflict with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Targets included the Rubymar and the True Confidence. Last month, the Rubymar, a bulk carrier, sank, leaving behind a significant oil spill and raising alarms over the 21,000 tons of fertilizer it was carrying. The vessel went down in shallow waters, posing a hazard to other ships navigating nearby.

On the other hand, the True Confidence was left deserted earlier this month after an assault ignited a fire on board, resulting in the death of three crew members near the port of Aden in Yemen. It was previously reported by contacts associated with the vessel that the Indian Navy was prepared to offer protection for towing services to recover the ship, a plan that has yet to materialize due to safety concerns.

"We’re limited in what we can do in an area that is not safe and secure," Dominguez stated at the IMO's London office.