Salvage operation of ‘MV Sounion’ oil tanker about to start; no signs of oil spill - EU naval mission

The salvage operation of the oil tanker, “MV Sounion”, which was recently attacked by Houthi fighters, is about to begin, the European Union’s mission in the Red Sea, Aspides, said on Monday, Reuters reports.

Aspides said in a statement that “several fires” continued to burn on the Greek-registered vessel, which is laden with about 1 million barrels of crude oil, adding that there were no visible signs of an oil spill.

The salvage operation is likely to be complex and, if a spill occurs, it has the potential to be among the largest from a ship in recorded history and could cause an environmental catastrophe in an area that is particularly dangerous to access.

READ: UK maritime agency reports drone attack on vessel off western Yemen

“The ‘MV Sounion’, due to the large amount of crude oil it carries, presents a significant environmental threat. Private companies are involved in the salvage operation that is about to start,” Aspides said on X.

A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that tug boats were ready to operate but it would require an on-spot inspection before a decision is made on whether to transfer the cargo to another vessel or move the ship to a safe port first.

The EU’s naval force said on Monday it will provide protection to the tug boats that will deal with the salvage operation.

The Houthis have been waging a campaign against commercial shipping to support Palestinians in the war between Israel and Palestine in Gaza.

On Monday, a Saudi-owned crude tanker and a Panama-flagged oil ship were attacked in the Red Sea off Yemen, two sources familiar with the matter said, although it was unclear if the vessels were hit by Yemeni Houthi fighters.

READ: Yemen’s Houthis seize Sounion vessel in Red Sea