Burning oil tanker “MV Sounion” unsafe to be towed, says EU mission
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Private companies responsible for the salvage operation of Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which was due to be towed, have concluded that it was not safe to proceed, said EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, an EU military operation in the Red Sea on Wednesday (3 September).
Tanker Sounion has been on fire since 23 August after it was reportedly attacked by Houthis.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES said due to the large amount of crude oil it carries, Sounion presents a significant environmental threat.
Upon the request of the companies, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES have been protecting the tugs involved in the SOUNION salvage operation since 1 September, aiming to facilitate the prevention of an unprecedented environmental disaster in the region.
“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,” it said in a social media post.
“EUNAVFOR ASPIDES remains concentrated on its original mandate, acting as a credible EU maritime security provider, aiming to contribute to the freedom of navigation of merchant vessels in its Area of Operation.”
In an earlier post, it said currently, several fires continue to burn on the vessel’s main deck.
“The vessel remains anchored without drifting, and there are no visible signs of an oil spill,” it said.
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.
The Exxon Valdez oil spill was a man made disaster that occurred when oil tanker Exxon Valdez, owned by the Exxon Shipping Company, spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound on 24 March, 1989.
Related: US: Oil spill calamity four times “Exxon Valdez” disaster waiting to happen
Photo credit: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Published: 4 September, 2024
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