The Houthis, who control the region that surrounds the mooring area, have long balked at United Nations requests to assess the vessel’s condition. In August of 2019, the Houthis consented to a United Nations request to inspect the tanker, only to cancel it the night before. But the coronavirus pandemic has severely reduced the price of oil, making the Safer’s contents much less valuable. Moreover, the oil has been languishing in rusting tanks for at least five years, which may have befouled it. Consilium, a maritime security consultancy, said it was possible that Houthi leaders who once viewed the Safer as an asset “may now see the benefit in allowing the situation to be resolved.”

Source: International New York Times July 17, 2020 06:33 UTC