Houthi Attacked Damaged Tanker Successfully Transits Suez Canal

The damaged tanker Sounion, which made headlines in August 2024 after being attacked by the Houthis off Yemen, successfully transited the Suez Canal. The Canal Authority described the operation as carefully planned and complex, as the heavily damaged vessel made its way to Greece. The offloading of the 150,000 tons of crude oil from the tanker was completed in December 2024 after a month-long operation managed by Ambrey and Mega Tugs. The tanker, operated by Greece’s Delta Tankers, was disabled in the Red Sea after being struck by the Houthis, who set off multiple explosions and caused significant damage.

The Suez Canal Authority oversaw the offloading operation after the vessel was towed into the port south of the canal. The pollution control vessel Kasht 2 was positioned nearby during the operation, with teams monitoring for pollution. Planning for the transit took weeks, with Lieutenant General Osama Rabie highlighting the challenges of towing the 274-meter tanker without steering control. The operation involved multiple tugs, including the Aigaion Pelagos and the Baraka, to guide the tanker through the canal.

The transit through the Suez Canal began on March 8 and took approximately 24 hours to complete. The operation was conducted in stages, with pauses for crew changes and to allow southbound convoys to pass. A total of 13 pilots were used to guide the Sounion through the canal. The Aigaion Pelagos is currently holding north of the canal, as the tow is expected to continue to Greece.

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