Risky Operation to Salvage Attacked Sounion Tanker in Red Sea Resumes

Experts are set to resume the high-risk salvage of the Sounion tanker, which was attacked by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea. The Greek-registered vessel holds nearly one million barrels of crude oil. The delicate operation, paused previously due to safety concerns, involves multiple international entities to prevent potential environmental catastrophe.

Experts will this week resume a risky operation to salvage the Sounion tanker, which was attacked by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea last month and still contains about one million barrels of crude oil, maritime sources said on Thursday.

The Greek-registered vessel, struck, lost power, and caught fire on Aug. 21, had its towing paused after it was deemed unsafe by the initial companies involved.

Officials state that the towing operation will be particularly delicate due to the tanker's full load and other factors. Any spill could become the largest from a ship in history, posing a severe environmental threat in a sensitive area.

The Houthis, acting in solidarity with Palestinians caught up in the Israel-Gaza war, later detonated charges on the tanker, sparking further fires. It remains uncertain if any explosives are still active.

At least two Greek-owned tugboats are in the area to manage the towage, sources reported.

A source added, 'There is an action plan in place and there is progress. The towing operation is expected to begin in the next two days.' The ship's crew has been evacuated.

Greece has communicated with regional power Saudi Arabia for assistance. The Iran-aligned Houthi militants have authorized salvage teams to tow the ship to safety.

The EU's Red Sea naval mission, Aspides, will protect the vessels during the towage and monitor the entire operation. Aspides officials noted a French and a Greek frigate, part of the mission, are already in the area.

(With inputs from agencies.)