Salvage Teams To Resume Risky Operation On Houthi-Hit Sounion Tanker Still Burning In Red Sea

A high-risk salvage effort to retrieve the Greek-registered Sounion tanker, which has been extensively damaged in multiple attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, is set to resume in the Red Sea this week.

The operation, which was suspended due to safety concerns, will involve towing the vessel, which is still carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil, to a safe area.

On August 21, the 900-foot (274.2-meter) tanker was attacked, damaged by projectiles, and then caught fire. After a second attack destroyed its engine, the ship was left adrift. Houthi forces later returned to the vessel and placed explosive devices, causing severe fires.

Companies initially began Salvage efforts using several tugboats but were suspended due to the risks involved in the operation.

According to sources familiar with the salvage operation, the situation is delicate. The tanker still carries a full load of crude oil, posing a severe risk of a catastrophic spill.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU’s naval mission in the Red Sea, posted on its social media handle that the vessel is anchored and not drifting, and there is no sign of an oil spill in the main cargo hold. The mission has committed to protect the salvage teams.

The towing operation is expected to start within the next two days, and at least two tugboats from a Greek salvage company are already present to assist with it.

However, concerns remain about the chances of further difficulties, including the explosive weapons left aboard by the Houthis.

Officials have warned that any mishap during the operation might lead to one of the largest oil spills in history, with major environmental consequences.

Western governments have stated that a spill could be up to four times larger than the Exxon Valdez disaster, seriously harming the Red Sea region’s sensitive marine ecosystem and fishermen.

The crew of the Sounion has been evacuated, and Greece asked Saudi Arabia for help with the salvage operation.

Despite the Houthi rebels’ assurances that they would allow the tanker to be towed to safety, sources reported continued threats to salvage personnel.

The EU naval mission, Aspides, confirmed that a French and a Greek frigate were already in the area to protect the vessels involved in the operation.

After initial recovery efforts were suspended, further options were examined; however, the salvage mission has been scheduled to restart under improved protection measures.

Reference: Reuters

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