- Red Sea crisis has now transcended its immediate impact on global trade, intertwining with a broader environmental quandary
- The ongoing clashes, initiated by Houthis, have targeted several vessels, including commercial ships and U.S. Navy warships.
- Rising greenhouse gas emissions from shipping threaten to contravene the international Paris Agreement’s efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
- The lack of maritime safety capabilities in the region amplifies the challenges associated with cleanup efforts.
- The Red Sea crisis and the war in Ukraine both underscore the devastating impact of armed conflict on the marine environment.
The Red Sea crisis has evolved into a pressing global concern, driven not only by disruption of international trade but also by its far-reaching environmental impacts, as the once tranquil waters have transformed into a battleground. The ongoing clashes, initiated by the Houthis—an Iran-backed Shi’ite rebel group in Yemen—have targeted several vessels, including commercial ships and U.S. Navy warships. The group claims attacks against ships in the Red Sea are in response to Israel’s conflict against Gaza-based militant group Hamas—which is also aligned with Iran—and says it will attack any Israel-linked vessels. This has led to an increasing armed exchange in the Red Sea, raising the stakes for global security.
Shipping routes, often referred to as the arteries of international commerce, are indispensable for the functioning of the global economy. Historical trade routes, such as the Panama and Suez Canals, have played pivotal roles in shaping shipping trades to Europe and the United States. The Red Sea, particularly via the Suez Canal, stands out as one of the most traversed commerce routes globally. This route not only holds strategic importance but is also the quickest and shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.
However, the consequences of the Red Sea crisis extend beyond immediate risks, impacting shipping routes and redirecting traffic around the Cape of Good Hope. This substantial shift in maritime routes, exacerbated by climate-induced weather patterns, raises the spectre of environmental disasters and increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Marine data reveals a noticeable change in behaviours as ships, forced to reroute, now sail an average of 10% faster around the Cape compared to the Red Sea route. This accelerated pace translates into a rise in fuel consumption and additional CO2 emissions. For a 100,000-dwt gas tanker, this increase results in 291 tonnes more fuel consumed and an additional 920 tonnes of CO2 emitted. Additionally, analysis by the Zero North shipping traffic platform indicates that for every container ship diverted around the Cape of Good Hope, an extra 2,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide are released, amounting to 8.8 million metric tonnes over a year.
The recent sinking of a bulk carrier near Yemen following a Houthi missile attack has raised serious concerns among officials and experts regarding potential environmental hazards. The vessel, named Rubymar and operated by Lebanon under the flag of Belize, went down with 21,000 metric tonnes of ammonium phosphate sulphate fertilizer on board after sustaining hull damage from the missile strike on February 18. This incident marks a significant threat to the marine environment in the Red Sea, as leaking fuel and chemicals from the ship could endanger marine life, including coral reefs, and impact the livelihoods of coastal communities dependent on fishing.
The environmental risks associated with the Rubymar’s cargo are substantial, with fears of a major ecological crisis looming. The potential release of such a large quantity of fertilizer into the Red Sea poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems, as the soluble nature of the fertilizer could disrupt the delicate balance of marine life, leading to detrimental effects on various organisms. The presence of over 200 tonnes of fuel oil on board further compounds the pollution threat, emphasizing the urgent need to address the situation to prevent widespread environmental damage. The sinking of the Rubymar not only poses a direct risk to marine life and habitats but also raises concerns about potential impacts on shipping routes in the Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade.
The compound existing environmental stressors, with potential oil spills posing a catastrophic threat to marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and already strained fish populations. The lack of maritime safety capabilities in the region amplifies the challenges associated with cleanup efforts, drawing parallels to the 1991 Gulf War’s largest oil spill in history, which released over 200 million gallons of oil into the Persian Gulf, causing widespread damage to marine ecosystems, killing fish and other marine species, and contaminating habitats.
Beyond immediate risks to the Red Sea, the conflict creates long-term concerns for the African countries and countries in the western Indian Ocean. An event of this nature would spell a humanitarian crisis, potentially causing mass displacements. Additionally, a maritime catastrophe such as oil spills has the potential to trigger widespread displacement in East Africa and the Horn region. Further, more vessels calling at African ports, could result accidents leading to such as oil spills during bunkering, and even wrecks. For example, a United Nations (UN) mission in August 2023, involving a ship-to-ship transfer of 1.4 million barrels of crude oil from the FSO Safer super tanker in Yemen. The tanker, at risk of corrosion-induced spillage due to a lack of maintenance since the Yemen war started in 2015, could have exploded if caught in the crossfire, posing a potential environmental and humanitarian crisis if the oil spilled into the Red Sea. Consequently, cooperation for climate action in the region is hindered by complex geopolitical dynamics.
The Red Sea crisis and the war in Ukraine both underscore the devastating impact of armed conflict on the marine environment. Disruptions in shipping and increased military maritime traffic contribute to pollution and habitat destruction, emphasizing the need for global cooperation in implementing measures like safe shipping practices, spill response plans, and habitat protection.
The stakes are high, and the imperative to act is clear, for the repercussions of inaction extend beyond borders and impact the delicate balance of our shared planet.
Ms Divya Rai
About Author
Divya Rai is undertaking research on the Underwater Domain Awareness framework in various multilateral structures in South Asia under the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Project Fellowship offered by the Maritime Research Centre (MRC). Her expertise lies in analyzing the need for the UDA framework in the BIMSTEC and India’s role in it, she has also worked on various issues related to South Asia such as regional and intra-regional connectivity, economic architecture, maritime security, environmental issues, and transport connectivity. he has published articles in reputed digital and print news platforms and magazines on issues about South Asia and the growing maritime influence of China in the Indo-Pacific, and geopolitics and non-traditional security threats in the South Asia region. She holds a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Mathematics, and Defense and Strategic Studies from Allahabad University, Prayagraj.