Yemen’s Houthi group has agreed to allow rescue operations for a Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, which was damaged in a recent attack.
According to Reuters, the decision was confirmed by Iran’s mission to the United Nations on 28 August, following a plea from several countries concerned about the environmental risks posed by the tanker. The Sounion, currently carrying 1 million barrels (approximately 150,000 tonnes) of crude oil, presents a significant environmental threat, according to shipping officials. Any spill could result in one of the largest marine oil disasters in history.
The Iran-aligned Houthis attacked the tanker on August 21 near the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. A Pentagon spokesperson had claimed that the vessel has been leaking oil, although recent reports by Aspides claim that there is no oil spill.
Update on M/V SOUNION:
The M/V SOUNION has been on fire since August 23rd.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES 🇪🇺 operating assets in the area have reported that there are fires detected in several locations on the main deck of the vessel. There’s no oil spill, and the ship is still anchored and… pic.twitter.com/urJIZ0Y5AW
— EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) August 28, 2024
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, clarified that while the group agreed to allow the towing of the tanker after multiple international parties intervened, Reuters reports.
Following the recent attack on the vessel, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated that the risk of an oil spill, posing an extremely serious environmental hazard, remains high and there is widespread concern about the damage such a spill would cause within the region.
I am extremely concerned about the situation regarding the tanker MV Sounion which was targeted while transiting the Southern Red Sea. The tanker is carrying some 150,000 tonnes of oil on board, that is approximately one million barrels of crude oil.
… said Dominguez, adding that IMO is in communication with national, regional and UN entities, as well as other stakeholders regarding the ongoing incident, and they are ready to offer support with any technical assistance to address the ongoing safety, security and environmental challenges posed by the stricken vessel.
