Salvage of Wrecked Oil Tanker in Red Sea Expected Soon

A Greek-registered oil tanker stranded in the Red Sea after an attack by Houthi militants is set to undergo a salvage operation in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the situation. The complexity of the operation arises from the presence of explosives on the tanker named Sounion, which is carrying a million barrels of crude oil. Efforts are being made to expedite the process to prevent a potential environmental disaster in the region.

Greece has alerted the United Nations maritime agency about a 2.2 nautical mile-long potential oil spill near the Sounion’s location. The Houthi militias, responsible for the attacks on the tanker, have agreed to allow salvage crews to move the vessel to safety after placing bombs and disabling it. The priority of the operation, whether towing the ship to a port or transshipping the cargo, depends on a thorough inspection of the vessel.

To protect the Sounion and ensure its safe transport, the EU monitoring mission ASPIDES will be involved in the salvage operation. Greece has reached out to Saudi Arabia for support, and the tanker’s operator, Delta Tankers, is working diligently to move the vessel and its cargo. Concerns about a potential oil spill and its catastrophic consequences underline the urgency of resolving the situation promptly.

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