The Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, has been evacuated and now poses a significant environmental hazard following an attack by Houthi forces in the Red Sea. The EU’s Red Sea naval mission, known as “Aspides,” reported the situation on Thursday, highlighting the potential navigational and ecological risks associated with the stranded vessel.
The Houthis, who control large areas of Yemen, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was part of their solidarity with Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, indicated that the Sounion was targeted due to its ties to Israeli interests and its violation of a ban on entering occupied Palestinian ports.
The Sounion was attacked off the coast of Yemen near Hodeidah, resulting in a fire onboard that the crew managed to extinguish before evacuating. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the vessel had lost engine power and was subsequently anchored between Yemen and Eritrea.
Delta Tankers, the company operating the Sounion, is currently formulating a plan to relocate the tanker to a safer location for inspections and repairs. The EU naval mission responded to the captain’s request for assistance, successfully rescuing the crew and neutralizing a nearby unmanned surface vessel that posed a threat.
The Greek shipping ministry reported that the Sounion was en route from Iraq to Agioi Theodoroi in Greece with a crew of two Russians and 23 Filipinos. The ongoing Houthi attacks have raised concerns over maritime security in the region, prompting international condemnation.
Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianidis described the attack as a serious violation of international law, emphasizing the threat it poses to global shipping safety. The Houthis have intensified their operations in the Red Sea, impacting international trade routes and prompting responses from the U.S. and British military forces.