Burning Tanker With 1 Million Barrels Of Oil Salvaged After Houthi Attack In Red Sea

A Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil, has been salvaged after burning for weeks in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The incident, described as a disaster waiting to happen, threatened an oil spill that could have been four times larger than the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska.

The Houthis initially attacked the tanker on August 21, using small arms fire, projectiles and a drone boat.

The vessel’s 25-member crew, including Filipinos and Russians, along with four private security personnel, abandoned the ship and were rescued by a French destroyer operating under the European Union’s Operation Aspides.

The crew was safely transported to Djibouti.

After the attack, the Houthis planted explosives on the vessel and ignited them, later releasing footage of the sabotage. The Sounion burned for weeks, making the salvage operation complex.

Private security firm Ambrey, which led the salvage efforts, said that the operation involved extinguishing the fires, patching cargo tanks, and pressurising them with inert gas to ensure safety.

“Over three challenging weeks, the fires were extinguished, cargo tanks patched and pressurised with inert gas, and the vessel declared safe,” the firm said.

In early October, the Sounion was towed to the Suez Canal, where the remaining crude oil was successfully offloaded, averting the risk of a massive spill.

The salvage operation was carried out in coordination with European naval forces and other salvaging teams.

Since October 2023, the Houthis have attacked over 100 merchant vessels using missiles, drones, and explosives. They have seized one vessel, sunk two others, and killed four sailors during the campaign.

While the Houthis claim their attacks are directed against ships linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, many of the targeted vessels have no connection to the war, including some bound for Iran.

Missiles and drones have also been intercepted by a U.S.-led coalition in the Red Sea.

In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel’s military has conducted strikes on Houthi-controlled infrastructure in Yemen. On Friday, Israel targeted the Hizaz power station and the ports of Hodeidah and Ras Isa on Yemen’s west coast.

According to Houthi media, one worker was killed, and six others were injured at the Ras Isa port.

The Houthis have also launched missiles and drones at Israel. Despite a recent slowdown in maritime attacks, the group continues to target Israel with these weapons.

The successful salvage of the Sounion has prevented what could have been one of the worst oil spills in history.

Reference: Times of Israel, AP News

Source: Maritime Shipping News