Cargo ship grounds in Egypt’s Quseir, causing diesel spill and damages to coral reefs

CAIRO- 25 November 2024: Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, arrived in the Red Sea Governorate to assess the situation following the grounding of a cargo ship in Quseir, which caused diesel spills in the surrounding waters and damage to nearby coral reefs.

Upon arrival, she held a meeting with the committee formed to monitor the incident, which included the Red Sea Nature Reserves Team, the regional branch of the Environmental Affairs Agency, and representatives from the Naval Forces Command, Naval Forces Administration in Safaga, the General Petroleum Corporation, and PetroSafe Company.

Fouad explained that the meeting involved a comprehensive review of the incident by the Red Sea Reserves Team, which provided a detailed report on the circumstances, the damage to the coral reefs, and the steps needed to mitigate pollution. 

PetroSafe Company also presented a report on the measures taken since the incident was first reported and the stabilization of the ship.

The Minister confirmed that a joint action plan is being developed in close coordination with the Naval Forces and relevant authorities. This plan, which includes clear implementation steps, will be presented to the Prime Minister for approval and immediate action. 

Fouad emphasized that protecting the marine environment and coral reefs remains a top priority for the Egyptian government.

It is important to note that the Ministry of Environment was alerted to the grounding of the cargo ship in Quseir.

Following the report, Dr. Fouad promptly directed the formation of a committee from the Red Sea Reserves and the Environmental Affairs Agency's regional branch to address the situation. Coordination with PetroSafe Company was initiated to contain the pollution, clean the affected beaches, and protect the marine environment and coral reefs beneath the ship, in collaboration with the naval forces and all relevant authorities.