Minister of Transport : sinking of containers ship off Jizan resulted from siege imposed by aggression
Minister of Transport Abdulwahab al-Durrah confirmed that the sinking of TSSpearl ship off the coast of Jizan is the result of the economic blockade practiced by the Saudi-led aggression, aiming to starve the Yemeni people who have been steadfast for more than eight years in the face of the aggression.
In a press conference organized by the Ministries of Transport, Industry and Trade, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Capital Sana’a and the Chamber of Navigation, Minister al-Durrah said the container ship was exposed to a fire after moving from the port of Jeddah, which lasted nine days, despite the call and request for help to extinguish the fire by the ship’s crew, but the rescue teams in Jizan port did not move, but left the ship burning until it sank.
Al-Durrah pointed out that all container ships and others are inspected in the port of Djibouti by “UNIFM”, and then all container goods are transferred from an international shipping vessel to an intermediate shipping transport vessel that is not at the required level, calling on the United Nations to work quickly to open all Yemeni ports, especially the ports of Hodeida and Saleef in front of various commercial, humanitarian and relief ships in accordance with international laws, charters and agreements.
The Minister of Transport also called on the United Nations to provide bridge cranes for the port of Hodeida according to the Stockholm Agreement.
He went on saying the United Nations has implemented large strategic projects in other Yemeni ports with more than $54 million, while it has not implemented any project in the port of Hodeida, which was destroyed by aggression.
Al-Durrah stressed the need for all international shipping companies’ ships to enter Yemeni ports directly, including the port of Hodeida, in order to reduce the excessive expenses borne by merchants and businessmen, which are reflected on the Yemeni citizens and to avoid any accidents in the future.
He also called for the opening of all airports and ports of Yemen, foremost of which are Sana’a International Airport and the port of Hodeida, unconditionally, as they provide humanitarian services.
Deputy Minister of Transport Mohammad al-Hashemi stressed the need to move with all relevant authorities to compensate the affected merchants, including insurance and maritime companies and to compel the United Nations to quickly open the ports of Hodeida and Saleef to all commercial ships, including container ships.
