Floating on the sea for many years! This oil tanker carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of explosion | Yemen | Crude Oil
Outside the Red Sea port in Yemen, there has been a floating oil tanker, the Saffir, carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil for many years. Since the outbreak of the Yemen conflict in 2015, this tanker has lacked maintenance and is at risk of leakage, sinking, and even explosion at any time.
A team of experts led by the United Nations is currently conducting emergency repairs on the Saffir. Recently, a team of CCTV reporters became the first foreign media authorized to board this oil tanker and conducted a visit to the Saffir.
![Floating on the sea for many years! This oil tanker carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of explosion | Yemen | Crude Oil](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/87b0e48c1b91911bf1a96ac8824c18a1.jpg)
The CCTV reporter found that the Saffir was severely aging, with rust covering the entire hull and many valves severely worn.
Technicians have warned that any improper operation may cause valve and pipeline leaks and lead to serious dangerous accidents. The local high temperature and humidity environment also poses additional challenges to the current work. They are currently conducting emergency repairs to prepare for crude oil transportation work.
![Floating on the sea for many years! This oil tanker carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of explosion | Yemen | Crude Oil](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/1bed53d65bd291c29bd0a78bc7809a14.jpg)
CCTV reporter Hassan: One of the biggest problems that ships are facing now is rust. All equipment is rusty and cannot be used normally. Steel components have become very fragile, and such scenes can be seen everywhere on the ship.
The United Nations has previously warned multiple times that the Saffir oil tanker is at risk of oil leakage, explosion, or fire. Once an accident occurs, it will cause environmental and humanitarian disasters.
![Floating on the sea for many years! This oil tanker carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of explosion | Yemen | Crude Oil](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/400e0b3729b1259aea5be49068fb96a8.jpg)
On May 30th, UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Graysley, stated that a UN technical support ship has arrived in the waters near the Red Sea port in Yemen to prepare for the transfer of crude oil from the Saffir oil tanker.
At present, a large number of new equipment has been temporarily installed on the Saffir through technical support ships, and technicians are carrying out repair work on the Saffir.
![Floating on the sea for many years! This oil tanker carrying approximately 1.14 million barrels of crude oil is at risk of explosion | Yemen | Crude Oil](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/e1a984311b81c85183be2bc7936761b8.jpg)
Technicians say that one of the most dangerous areas on board is the pipeline network on the deck, which is filled with dangerous gases. Any improper operation may cause an explosion. They are injecting inert gas into the pipeline to prevent explosion accidents.