Salvage operation underway for burning oil tanker Sounion in the Red Sea

Yesterday afternoon, the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES confirmed on X that they have begun the salvage operation of the oil tanker Sounion (IMO 9312145).

The tanker was attacked by Houthi militants last month, on August 21st, and has been on fire since August 23rd, after Houthi forces boarded the vessel and planted explosives across its deck.

Fires are still visible on the deck of the 274 meter long vessel almost a month later. With a summer deadweight capacity of 163.759 tonnes, the tanker is at risk of spilling its 1 million barrels of crude cargo oil into the Red Sea, which would be one of 5 largest oil spills in history.

On September 14th, the European Union’s Red Sea naval mission, ASPIDES, confirmed that they are overseeing the salvage operation, and on Sunday 15th of September they reported on X that they have begun the operation; “The salvage of the MV SOUNION is a complex operation and consists of various phases,”.

The ship is being escorted by three frigates, with helicopters overhead, while three tugs are engaged in the towage operation, and in addition, the ship’s radars have been turned off for security reasons. The destination is currently unknown with European naval forces who are leading the operation merely stating a “safe location”.

ASPIDES further reports that the tug boats have successfully connected to the vessel and that the towing of the Sounion (IMO 9312145) to a safe location is in progress.

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