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Spanish NGO halts Mediterranean migrant rescues, citing fuel costs

Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario postpones missions until 2027 as rising energy prices squeeze operations

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
A Spanish humanitarian charity has suspended its migrant rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean until next year, blaming a doubling of fuel prices. The decision by Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (SMH) highlights how rising energy costs are compounding the challenges faced by NGOs working on one of the world's deadliest migration routes.

Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario, a Spanish charity that operates a converted fishing vessel as a rescue ship, announced on Wednesday that it would shift its activities to waters near Valencia in southeastern Spain and launch a crowdfunding campaign to cover rising expenses. The group said fuel prices had doubled, making long-distance missions to the Central Mediterranean unsustainable.

The Central Mediterranean crossing from North Africa to Italy has long been a major transit point for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty in Africa and the Middle East. While the number of sea crossings has fallen sharply this year, the death toll remains high.

According to a report from the International Office for Migration, about 60,000 migrants and refugees reached Europe by boat in 2026 so far, down 39 percent from roughly 98,000 over the same period in 2025. Despite the drop, at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing while attempting the crossing this year.

SMH is not alone in scaling back. Spanish NGO Open Arms has also reduced its Central Mediterranean missions in recent years, citing rising fuel costs and Italy’s policy of assigning rescue vessels to ports in the far north of the country, forcing longer and more expensive transits. NGO ships from Spain typically require two to three days of sailing just to reach their operating area.

The Italian government, led by a right-wing, anti-immigration prime minister, has argued that humanitarian rescue efforts encourage more migrants to attempt the dangerous journey. The suspension of SMH’s operations is expected to reduce the already limited NGO presence in the central Mediterranean.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The suspension removes a key rescue capacity from the Central Mediterranean at a time when the death rate per crossing remains high, even as overall numbers drop.
  • Rising fuel costs are compounding operational pressures on humanitarian NGOs, potentially leaving more migrant boats without assistance.
  • The gap could further shift the burden onto national coastguards or other actors, with political implications for migration policy across Europe.

Background

The Central Mediterranean is the world's most dangerous migration route, with thousands dying each year attempting to reach Europe from Libya and other North African countries. NGOs have played a growing role in search-and-rescue operations since the mid-2010s, but they have faced legal, financial and political headwinds. Italy's government has taken a hard line against NGO rescues, arguing they act as a pull factor. Meanwhile, global fuel price increases have strained the budgets of many charitable organisations.

Key Perspectives

Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (SMH): The NGO says it cannot afford the doubled fuel costs and has paused deep-sea missions until 2027 while seeking donations. It frames the decision as a necessary response to economic pressures. Italian government: Authorities have long argued that NGO rescue ships encourage smuggling networks and increase crossings, a position that has led to port restrictions and legal scrutiny of rescue groups. Migrants and human rights advocates: For people fleeing war and poverty, fewer rescue assets mean a higher risk of death at sea. Rights groups warn that the political focus on deterrence often overshadows the humanitarian imperative to save lives.

What to Watch

  • Whether SMH’s crowdfunding campaign meets its target, and if other NGOs follow suit in scaling back or suspending operations.
  • The number of migrant deaths in the Central Mediterranean over the coming months, especially during the winter season when crossings become more perilous.
  • Any policy shifts from the European Union or national governments in response to the shrinking NGO presence.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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