Yemeni Transport Minister Bans Departure of Vessel Accused of Marine Pollution in Aden Port Anchorage
Yemen Monitor/ Aden/ Exclusive:
On Friday, Yemeni Minister of Transport, Mohsen Haidarah Al-Amri, directed the immediate formation of an investigation committee to look into a marine pollution incident resulting from a vessel discharging quantities of oil in the ship waiting area (the anchorage) outside the Port of Aden, while issuing orders to detain the involved vessel and prevent it from departing.
Minister Al-Amri confirmed that the action came immediately after receiving operational reports from the Aden Port control tower and the Coast Guard forces, stating that a vessel had discharged oil waste into territorial waters, posing a direct threat to the marine environment.
The Minister of Transport tasked the General Authority for Maritime Affairs with conducting an urgent field visit to inspect the site, assess the scale of the pollution, and precisely determine its source, in addition to drafting a legal seizure report on the incident to complete the standard procedures.
In his directives to the Coast Guard forces, the Minister emphasized the need to detain the suspect vessel as soon as its involvement is proven, stressed that those responsible will be referred to the judiciary to face deterrent penalties, and noted that the Ministry will not tolerate any environmental violations in protecting Yemeni waters.
Oil pollution poses a serious threat to biodiversity and fisheries, which thousands of families in the temporary capital depend on. These directives come amid government efforts to enhance maritime surveillance and ensure commercial vessels comply with international standards for preventing marine pollution (MARPOL), especially given the sensitive security and environmental conditions the region is experiencing.
