The Greek-registered oil tanker
MT SOUNION has been
successfully towed to a safe area in the Red Sea, marking a crucial step in a complex salvage operation. However, despite the successful towing, exclusive photos obtained by gCaptain show flames still billowing from the tanker as today.
The vessel, carrying approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil, was set ablaze by Houthi militants on August 21 during its transit through the Red Sea.
EU-led Operation APSIDES reported on Monday, “Under protection of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, MV SOUNION has been successfully towed to a safe area without any oil spill. While private stakeholders complete the salvage operation, ASPIDES will continue to monitor the situation.”
he next phase of the operation involves transferring the vessel’s cargo, with Saudi Arabia expected to assist, according to sources familiar with the plan.
Environmental concerns remain paramount. The potential loss of the vessel could result in one of the largest tanker oil spills in history, risking catastrophic environmental damage in an area already fraught with danger due to ongoing Houthi attacks.
