logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2022
17m 47s

The race to stop a Red Sea oil catastrop...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

One of the many casualties of the war in Yemen is the FSO Safer, a floating storage facility which holds one million barrels of crude oil. No maintenance has been carried out on the vessel for years, and experts believe it’s in danger or exploding or leaking oil in to the Red Sea at any moment.

The UN has previously unsuccessfully tried to resolve the issue, but David Gressly, the Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, thinks the next few weeks could be vital, and is calling on the private sector and individuals to help fund an operation to transfer the oil to a safer vessel.

We hear from Tim Lenderking, US Special Envoy for Yemen, Ghiwa Nakat of Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa and Yemen’s Minister for Water and the Environment Tawfeeq Al Sharjabi. Presenter: Hannah Bewley Producers: Hannah Bewley and Sumaya Bakhsh Image: The FSO Safer from above; Credit: Getty Images

Up next
Oct 9
Business Daily meets: Fani Titi, Investec CEO
The South African grew up under the racist apartheid system as one of 14 children. He looked set for a life in farming, until a chance event took him down a different path – ultimately becoming CEO of the multinational banking group, Investec. Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: El ... Show More
17m 27s
Oct 8
Small country: Big tariffs
We head to Switzerland, a small but very successful country with a population of just 9 million.And now coping with some of US President Donald Trump’s highest tariffs. In August the original threat of 31% tariffs was raised to 39%. Two months on, efforts to negotiate with Washin ... Show More
17m 30s
Oct 7
Should we expect more airline delays?
Passengers are suffering more disruption as technology at airports, airlines and air traffic control is failing.But why is aviation software becoming more prone to failure and vulnerable to cyber-attacks, and what is the solution to preventing delays?Presented and produced by Rus ... Show More
17m 28s
Recommended Episodes
May 2019
Guyana: Getting Rich Quick
Guyana, a country of just 750,000 people wedged between Venezuela and Suriname on the north-east coast of South America, has never had an oil industry. But a series of recent discoveries in its waters has revealed billions of barrels of oil beneath the ocean, potentially one of t ... Show More
28m 30s
Dec 2023
How are Yemen's Houthis impacting global trade?
The Red Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. But now Houthi fighters from Yemen are attacking vessels, forcing major companies to halt operations. How will this impact global trade? And what can be done to secure the Red Sea?   Join Host Cyril Vanier Guests: Tho ... Show More
25m 55s
Jan 2023
UAE names oil chief to lead COP28 talks
Environmental campaigners have criticised the UAE's decision to appoint the CEO of one of the world's biggest oil companies as president of this year's UN climate summit in Dubai. They say that Sultan Al Jaber must resign from the firm to avoid a conflict of interest. Also in the ... Show More
46m 15s
Apr 2023
Deep Waters: Sanctions and the new 'dark' fleet
Shipping has long been one of the most opaque of global industries. Now many operations in the oil sector, which accounts for nearly a third of all seaborne trade, have become still more secretive, following the West's imposition of sanctions on Russian oil. A new "dark fleet" of ... Show More
27m 49s
Apr 2017
Why Is No-one Trying to Stop the War in Yemen?
It’s two years since the start of the Saudi-led military campaign in support of the Yemeni government which was ousted by Houthi rebels. The war has been a disaster for countless civilians. Thousands have been killed and the country is on the brink of famine. The UN is calling it ... Show More
23m 29s
Sep 2019
Saudi oil attack ramifications locally and globally
Early on Saturday morning, attacks on Saudi Aramco’s giant oil plant caused major fires, disrupting about half of the kingdom’s crude production. From a record spike in oil prices to an escalation of tensions in the region after the US blamed Iran for being behind the strikes. Th ... Show More
27m 17s
Sep 2022
New UK PM announces energy support package
The UK’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss used her second day in office to unveil a huge energy support package, which could cost up to $170bn. Household energy bills will be capped at £2,500 annually until 2024, and businesses will get help for six months. The BBC’s International Bu ... Show More
27m 43s
Feb 2022
What will end the war in Yemen?
One of the world's largest humanitarian crises plagues the people of Yemen who have endured nearly eight years of civil conflict in the country. Over half the population struggles to access food, poverty is rife, and cholera is spreading. Meanwhile, three separate forces compete ... Show More
22m 59s
Jun 2022
Is the end to Yemen's war in sight?
There are increasing hopes of ending the eight-year war in Yemen which has killed tens of thousands of people. The Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Houthis have agreed to extend a ceasefire for another two months. So, can they end the conflict, once and for all? Join host M ... Show More
21m 57s