The operation has commenced to tow a Greek-registered oil tanker stranded in the Red Sea following an attack by Houthi militants last month, as confirmed by a shipping source to Reuters on Saturday. Towing the 900-foot (274.2-metre) MV Sounion to safety marks the initial phase in a perilous mission to salvage the vessel, which was set ablaze after being repeatedly targeted on Aug. 21.
The subsequent stage involves the transfer of its approximately 1 million barrels of oil. Saudi Arabia, a pivotal player in the region, is set to extend its support for this endeavor, according to insider reports.
A potential oil spill from the vessel could result in one of the largest maritime disasters, posing a severe threat of environmental devastation in a highly precarious area. An earlier salvage attempt was halted earlier this month due to safety concerns.
Reports indicate that at least two tugboats from a Greek maritime salvage firm are participating in the ongoing towing operation. Aspides, the European Union’s naval mission in the Red Sea, has confirmed its presence in the vicinity to safeguard the vessels involved in the mission, characterizing it as a “complex endeavor”.
Aspides emphasized the importance of establishing a secure environment for the tugboats to carry out the towing operation effectively. In a statement on Facebook, they underscored the critical nature of salvaging the MV Sounion to prevent a potential environmental catastrophe in the region, highlighting the collaborative efforts of various public and private entities in this initiative.