The Greek-registered oil tanker, MV SOUNION, which was damaged by Houthi militant attacks last month, is currently being towed in the Red Sea as part of a complex salvage operation. The European Union’s Operation ASPIDES confirmed this development in a statement on X.
The operation to salvage the MV SOUNION is intricate and involves multiple phases. ASPIDES reported that tug boats have successfully connected to the vessel, and the towing to a safe location is underway.
Source: EUNAVFOR
The 900-foot tanker, which was carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil, caught fire following several attacks on August 21. Houthi militants subsequently planted and detonated explosives on the ship, leading to ongoing fires.
The towing is the initial step in a challenging salvage process, with the next phase focusing on transferring the vessel’s cargo. There are significant environmental concerns, as any potential oil spill could cause catastrophic damage in a sensitive area. An earlier attempt to salvage the tanker was halted due to safety issues.
Saudi Arabia is expected to assist with the cargo transfer. ASPIDES noted that their mission includes providing protection for this operation to ensure maritime and environmental security.
