Towing of burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” underway in Red Sea

Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which was stranded in the Red Sea and on fire since 23 August after an attack by Houthi militants last month, is now being towed as part of a salvage operation, according EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, an EU military operation in the Red Sea on Sunday (15 September). 

ASPIDES said the salvage of the Sounion is a complex operation and consists of various phases.

“The tug boats have successfully connected to the vessel and the towing of the Sounion to a safe location is in progress,” it said in a social media post. 

“By providing protection to this operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES contributes to maritime and environmental security.”

Earlier attempts to tow the tanker were abandoned after the operation was concluded to be unsafe by private companies responsible for the salvage operation. 

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation have concluded that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed. Alternative solutions are now being explored by the private companies,” ASPIDES said earlier. 

In earlier posts, ASPIDES has stated that the salvage operation of the Sounion was essential in order to avert a potential environmental disaster in the region. 

In an urgent notice from Greece to IMO dated 29 August, a potential spill of about 2.2 nautical miles length was detected through a satellite image obtained in the evening hours of 29 August. 

“Greece urges all nations and all actors involved to assist in preventing the environmental hazard and resolving the solution the soonest possible.” 

Manifold Times previously reported that the US Department of State stating the Houthis’ continued attacks threaten to spill a million barrels of oil into the Red Sea, an amount four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster.

Related: Burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” unsafe to be towed, says EU mission
Related: US: Oil spill calamity four times “Exxon Valdez” disaster waiting to happen

Photo credit:EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Published: 16 September, 2024