Spanish NGO SMH postpones central Mediterranean rescue mission to 2027 over fuel costs

Right · 2Spanish humanitarian rescue charity SMH (Salvamento Marítimo Humanitario) has postponed its next mission in the central Mediterranean until 2027 because of soaring fuel costs, the group said on Wednesday 14 October. 1 2 Right · 2In a post on X, SMH said the doubling of fuel prices had forced it to suspend operations in the central Mediterranean and shift activities to waters around Spain's Valencia coast and the islands of Mallorca and Menorca. 1 2 Right · 2The charity operates the Aita Mari, a former fishing vessel converted into a rescue ship in 2017, and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover the extra costs. 1 2

Right · 2Reuters described the central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Italy and southern France as one of the world's most dangerous migrant routes, used by people from Africa and the Middle East who often travel in overcrowded or unseaworthy boats. 1 2 Right · 2Another Spanish NGO, Open Arms, said it had also scaled back its central Mediterranean missions in recent years because of rising fuel costs and Italy's policy of assigning rescue vessels ports in northern Italy, which can require ships to sail two or three days from their operating area, raising costs and cutting search-and-rescue time. 1 2 Right · 2Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing, anti-immigration government has repeatedly argued that humanitarian rescue vessels encourage migrants to attempt the crossing. 1 2