New effort to tow Houthi-damaged oil tanker from Red Sea under way

MV Sounion, on fire since attack on August 21, secured to supply vessel in first phase of salvage operation

The burning Greek-flagged oil tanker MV Sounion, which has been on fire since the end of August after an attack by Yemeni rebels in the Red Sea, has been taken under tow by salvage teams. Reuters

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The latest operation to tow a burning Greek-flagged oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi militants in the Red Sea has begun, the EU's naval mission said.

Fires have been burning on the MV Sounion since it was attacked on August 21 and environmentalists have said that any leak from the tanker – estimated to be carrying the equivalent of one million barrels of crude – could lead to the worst oil spill in history.

Greek state media have reported that a Greek tugboat was accompanied by three frigates, helicopters and a special forces unit to tow the ship away. The 25-member crew was previously rescued by a warship from the EU mission.

“Despite challenging conditions, with temperatures reaching up to 400°C due to the fire, the specialised salvage team successfully secured the tanker to the Aigaion Pelagos,” a supply ship, state media said.

Salvatore Mercogliano, an expert on military and commercial shipping at Campbell University, North Carolina, told The National salvage crews have been able to board Sounion, raise the anchor and attach a tow line to the large 10,000 horsepower salvage ship Aigaion Pelagos.

“The question now is, where will the vessel be towed – probably Saudi Arabia – and then they can begin firefighting and salvage efforts to stabilise the vessel,” Mr Mercogliano said.

“The risks are moving a stable vessel and placing it under tow. The movement of the vessel could cause a change in the fires that are burning, and worse case is the beginning of a major leak leading to a spill.”

The EU’s Operation Aspides had published images dated Saturday of its vessels escorting three ships heading to the stricken tanker, which was struck by Houthi missiles almost a month ago. Earlier attempts to tow the ship to safety were abandoned after the operation was deemed unsafe, the EU said at the time.

On Saturday, the EU mission said: “The salvage operation of the MV Sounion is essential in order to avert a potential environmental disaster in the region.”

The Pentagon in the US has previously said the vessel appeared to be leaking oil, a claim denied by the EU mission.

“If brought into a harbour, and most importantly out of the range of the Houthis, the salvage teams will be able to extinguish the fires and begin to stabilise the ship,” Mr Mercogliano said.

“They will surround the vessel with a containment boom. They will also be able to start pumping off fuel and repairing damage.”

Towing the ship is the first stage of the salvage operation, to be followed by the transfer of the vessel's oil cargo. Saudi Arabia will offer its assistance with that project, sources told Reuters.

The ship is one of at least 80 to be attacked by the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the Gaza war began. Several ships have sunk and crew members killed in the attacks.

The Houthis have caused major disruption to global trade and shipping with their assaults, which they say target vessels linked to Israel or heading to its ports. The group has vowed to continue until the war in Gaza ends and Israel's blockade on the enclave is lifted.

The rebels have attacked more than 80 vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza began in October. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in their campaign, killing four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or have failed to reach their targets.

“The aim of our attacks is clear: to pressure the Israeli enemy and the United States to stop the aggression on Gaza and lift the siege,” a source close to the Houthis told The National this month.

The Houthis have also launched missiles at Israel, killing one person in Tel Aviv in July. The EU has warned that more forces are needed in the Red Sea to counter the increasing Houthi attacks.