An operation to transfer approximately 150,000 tonnes of crude oil from the Greek-flagged suezmax tanker Sounion is currently underway at a safe anchorage in the Port of Suez.
The tanker, which arrived on October 30, was struck by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea two months ago and has been a focal point of emergency salvage efforts since.
The operation, which began Thursday, involves transferring the crude oil to the tanker Delta Blue using portable equipment. Salvage efforts are being carried out by a crew aboard the tugboat Aigaion Pelagos. The operation is expected to take three to four weeks to complete, according to sources from Egypt’s Ministry of Shipping.
The Sounion had been ablaze for nearly seven weeks following the attack on August 21, when Houthi drones caused multiple explosions aboard the vessel. These explosions ignited 20 fires, which have now been successfully extinguished by the Aigaion Pelagos crew. Despite the fires being under control, the tanker’s structural integrity remains a concern due to damage from the blasts. The hull plates have been weakened, and the vessel lacks its own mechanical means to maintain stability.
Following the attack, the Sounion’s 25-member crew, including 23 Filipinos and two Russians, were evacuated by a French Navy vessel and taken to safety in Djibouti. Houthi rebels subsequently boarded the ship, where they detonated additional explosive charges. The ongoing operation aims to secure the vessel and ensure the safe transfer of its cargo while mitigating further risks to the tanker’s stability.
(Source: Amna)