An environmental catastrophe in the Red Sea has been averted following the successful salvage of the Greek-registered oil tanker MT Sounion, which was struck by Houthi missiles and drones on August 21.
The tanker, carrying 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, caught fire 58 miles off the Yemeni coast, sparking fears of one of the largest oil spills in history.
British maritime security company Ambrey, which led the complex salvage operation, announced that the vessel has now been declared safe, with its cargo successfully removed. Greek Shipping Minister Christos Stylianides praised the operation’s success. “It’s a great relief, mainly due to the environmental disaster risk. It was a very complex operation,” Stylianides told Reuters.
The rescue operation, involving over 200 people and six specialized companies including Megatugs Salvage & Towage, Diaplous, and Ambipar Response, faced significant challenges. Fires aboard the 900-foot vessel took three weeks to extinguish amid harsh weather. In mid-September, a flotilla of seven salvage vessels, escorted by the EU naval force Aspides, towed the Sounion to a safe location 150 miles north, before eventually moving it to Suez for offloading.
Greece played a pivotal role in mobilising international support, with diplomatic efforts involving the Houthis, who permitted salvage operations, and Saudi Arabia, a key regional player. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s visit to Saudi Arabia coincided with the conclusion of the operation, further strengthening bilateral ties.
This successful salvage operation underscores Greece’s commitment to maritime security and environmental protection, averting a disaster that could have had far-reaching consequences for the Red Sea and beyond.
(Source: Reuters)