Aspidis: New rescue attempt for Sunion to begin in coming days

The European naval mission (Aspedes) announced today, Friday, a new rescue attempt expected to begin in the coming days, for the tanker Sunion, which was attacked by the Houthis on August 21 in the Red Sea off Hodeidah (western Yemen).

The mission said in a statement on the X platform that it will facilitate a new rescue operation for the tanker Sunion in the coming days by providing protection to commercially chartered vessels that will tow the ship to a safe location.

She added that the fire is still burning on the ship, which she said has not yet drifted, and there are no signs of an oil leak from the main cargo hold.

She stressed that in order to prevent an environmental disaster, it is necessary for public and private organizations and stakeholders to cooperate closely.

On 12 September, the MV SOUNION remains on fire after it was attacked in the Red Sea. The vessel is currently anchored, not drifting and there are no signs of an oil spill from the main cargo hold.
To prevent an environmental disaster, it is essential that public, private… pic.twitter.com/jDYZkUNa6s

- EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) September 13, 2024

On Thursday, Reuters quoted maritime sources as saying that experts will resume this week a risky operation to rescue the crude oil tanker Sunion, which was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea last month and is still carrying about one million barrels of crude oil.

Officials said the towing operation would be particularly sensitive, given the full load and a host of other factors.

At least two tugs owned by a Greece-based salvage company are already in the area and will handle the towing operation, one of the sources said.

Another source added, "There is a work plan ready and there is progress, and the withdrawal process is expected to begin within the next two days."

On August 21, the Houthis targeted the oil tanker Sunion off the coast of Hodeidah, causing a fire on board and the loss of engine power. The next day, a French frigate from the European Red Sea naval mission, Aspedes, evacuated the 25-member crew to Djibouti, and the Greek ship, carrying 150,000 tons of crude oil, became a “navigational and environmental hazard.”

Days later, the Houthis released a video showing the oil tanker being rigged with explosives and detonated, causing several fires on board, before it was “allowed” to be towed. On September 3, Aspedas announced that “conditions are not favorable” for towing the burning tanker, warning of the possibility of an “unprecedented” environmental disaster in the region.

Source: Yemen Youth Net + Agencies