The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, now presents a significant environmental hazard after being evacuated following an attack in the Red Sea. The EU’s Red Sea naval mission, Aspides, reported that the tanker was struck by multiple projectiles near Yemen’s Hodeidah port, an area where Iran-aligned Houthis have been targeting vessels in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The attack resulted in a fire onboard, which the crew managed to extinguish, but it also caused the vessel to lose engine power. Currently, the Sounion is anchored between Yemen and Eritrea, and Delta Tankers, the company operating the vessel, is working on plans to relocate it to a safer location for inspections and repairs.
The Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen, have not claimed responsibility for this specific attack, but they have been involved in numerous assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, leading to significant disruptions in global trade.
The Greek Shipping Minister condemned the attack as a violation of international law, emphasizing the risks posed not only to the ship but also to the surrounding environment and maritime safety. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported a series of incidents in the region, including another vessel encountering an explosion from an uncrewed vessel, further highlighting the dangers in the area.