A Greek-flagged oil tanker, the ‘Sounion’, caught fire and is currently adrift in the Red Sea after sustaining multiple attacks. The vessel, with a crew of 25, was struck by projectiles launched from two small boats approximately 77 nautical miles (143 km) west of Yemen‘s port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday morning.
Attack and Damage
According to the Greek shipping ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ‘Sounion’ faced a brief exchange of fire before another attack caused a fire onboard. This fire resulted in the ship losing engine power and its maneuverability. The UKMTO later reported that the vessel might have been hit by missiles or drones.
Crew Safety and Response
No injuries have been reported among the crew, which includes 23 Filipinos and two Russians. Delta Tankers, the ship’s operator, confirmed that the tanker sustained minor damage but remains adrift. Greece’s Maritime Affairs Minister Christos Stylianides condemned the attacks as “a flagrant violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of international shipping.”
Context and Previous Attacks
The Iran-aligned Houthis have been targeting international shipping near Yemen since last November in support of Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. However, they have not claimed responsibility for the ‘Sounion’ attack. This incident marks the third attack on a Delta Tankers-operated vessel by the Houthis. Earlier in August, two other tankers, the Liberia-flagged ‘Delta Atlantica’ and ‘Delta Blue’, were struck in separate incidents.
On the same day, the Panama-flagged ‘SW North Wind I’ reported five explosions in nearby waters south of the Yemeni port city of Aden. The crew of this vessel was unharmed, and the ship is continuing to its next port.
Impact on Shipping Routes
The increase in Houthi attacks has led many ship owners to avoid the Red Sea region, opting for longer and more expensive routes around the southern tip of Africa. These attacks have resulted in the sinking of two ships and the deaths of at least three crew members.