A Spanish charity has pushed its next migrant rescue mission in the Central Mediterranean back to next year, citing higher fuel costs. The group, Salvamento Maritimo Humanitario (Humanitarian Maritime Rescue, or SMH), said on Wednesday that fuel prices had doubled, forcing it to move its activities to waters around Valencia in southeastern Spain.
The organisation operates a fishing vessel that has been converted into a rescue ship. It has also started a crowdfunding drive to meet the additional expenses.
Crossings fall, but deaths remain high on central route
The Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy is one of the most dangerous migration paths in the world. Many people make the journey on overcrowded, unsuitable boats departing from Libya’s coast, a main transit point for people fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.
A report from the International Office for Migration said sea crossings have fallen sharply since January. The agency said about 60,000 migrants and refugees had reached Europe by boat so far in 2026, a 39 percent drop from roughly 98,000 over the same period last year. Even so, at least 2,292 people have died or gone missing attempting the crossing this year.
Rising costs weigh on rescue ships sailing from Spain
Spanish NGO Open Arms said it has scaled back its Central Mediterranean missions in recent years. It pointed to rising fuel costs and Italy’s policy of assigning rescue vessels to ports in Northern Italy.
Ships from Spain typically need two to three days to reach their operating area. That lengthy voyage raises costs and leaves less time for search-and-rescue work. The Italian prime minister’s right-wing, anti-immigration government argues that humanitarian rescue attempts encourage migrants to make the crossing.
