International Maritime Organization condemns attack on Sunion, calls on Houthis to stop attacks on international shipping

The International Maritime Organization ( IMO ) has condemned the Houthi attack on the oil tanker "Sunion", and renewed its call for the Iran-backed group to stop its attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea region.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation regarding the tanker MV Sounion , which was targeted while transiting the southern Red Sea. The tanker was carrying approximately 150,000 tonnes of oil, equivalent to 1 million barrels of crude oil,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The risk of an oil spill, which poses a very serious environmental hazard, remains high and there is widespread concern about the damage such a spill could cause in the region,” Dominguez added.

The IMO Secretary-General noted that this “unacceptable” attack on international shipping puts the lives of innocent seafarers at risk, stressing: “Merchant ships trading essential supplies and the seafarers who serve on board must be free to sail around the world, unhindered by geopolitical tensions.”

The UN official reiterated his call to the Houthis "to put an immediate end to the unlawful, cowardly and unjustified attacks on international shipping."

While Dominguez expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in the rescue efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of the crew of the tanker "Sunion", he stressed that the Maritime Organization is in continuous contact with national and regional entities and the United Nations, as well as other stakeholders, to study all developments regarding the incident.

He stressed the readiness of the International Maritime Organization to provide support with any technical assistance to address the ongoing safety, security and environmental challenges posed by the stricken ship.

Yesterday, Wednesday, the European naval mission (Aspedes) announced the continuation of fires on the stricken ship (Sunion) and confirmed that it is considering towing the ship. The Houthis also agreed to tow the ship and the arrival of rescue crews to it, a week after they attacked it in the Red Sea off Hodeidah (western Yemen).