The Safer Company for Production and Exploration Operations, the owner of the tanker Safer, anchored in the Red Sea off the coast of Hodeidah, with 1.1 million barrels of crude oil on board, said: “After it was officially informed of the evaluation and maintenance of a“ light ”tanker during the coming period, it has not received any update so far. "However, she warned that the tanker has been in a dangerous situation for a long time, and will remain in danger even after the visit of the UN team," stressing that stopping the danger depends on the immediate emptying of the floating tank of oil.

For years, the Houthi militia managed to prevent any UN access to the dilapidated tanker, in order to maintain it and avoid the disaster of more than a million barrels of oil leaking into the water.

The United Nations expects that its technical team will arrive to assess and maintain the "Safer" tanker, in early February or late January, according to a spokesman for the Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric.

"These preparations include purchasing the necessary equipment, obtaining entry permits for members of the mission, agreeing to work order upon arrival at the reservoir, and logistical plans," Dujarric said.