EU begins salvage operation for ablaze Greek tanker in the Red Sea

·

The European Union’s Aspides mission has confirmed that a major operation is underway to tow the Greek-owned tanker Sounion, which is on fire in the Red Sea after it was struck by Yemeni Houthi rebels on August 21.

The tanker is carrying 150,000 metric tonnes of crude oil.

Fears emerged last week after a statement from the Pentagon on Tuesday, August 27 said the tanker appeared to be leaking oil, potentially causing environmental devastation. Later on Wednesday, August 28, Aspides reported that there was no oil spill from the Sounion and that the tanker was anchored and not adrift.

By early afternoon Monday, September 2, the Greek frigate Psara, the French frigate Chevalier Paul and the Italian destroyer Andrea Doria were approximately 40 nautical miles from the Sounion, preparing to provide air defence for a salvage operation. The ships and tugs were expected to reach the tanker late on Monday night.

According to Bloomberg, the plan to evacuate the tanker involves transferring the oil inside to another vessel, while Sounion will be towed to a safe port, probably in Djibouti.

Although the Houthis have agreed to allow the tugboats to remove the Sounion, European commanders authorised the warships’ involvement after two more Houthi attacks in the Red Sea earlier on Monday.

The high-risk operation is expected to take several days at a towing speed of about 2 miles per hour.

Source: Ekathimerini.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Mother’s Day for Greek Australians: A time for love, memory and reflection

The roots of Mother’s Day can be traced back to Ancient Greek and Roman festivals which honoured the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

Greek olive oil poised for growth in booming Australian market

A study by the Economic and Commercial Affairs Office of the Greek Consulate in Sydney highlights strong opportunities for Greek olive oil.

The Greek alphabet may be older than first thought

Associate Professor Willemijn Waal, with the help of a Vici grant, aims to explore whether the alphabet could be several centuries older.

Evangelos Demos to give seminar on the geopolitics of Greek foreign policy

Evangelos Demos is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney under the supervision of Professor Vrasidas Karalis.

Niki Louca shares her recipe for Daktylies (Cypriot-style bread)

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for Daktylies (Cypriot-style bread) with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Greek sailors to compete in ILCA 7 sailing World Championship in Adelaide

The Greek sailing champion George Papadakos will compete against other Hellenic sailors in the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championship in Adelaide.

Efthymis Iliadis wins silver medal at World Taekwondo Championship 2023

Efthymis Iliadis has won second place in the -176cm (-64kg) category at the World Taekwondo Cadet Championship 2023 in Sarajevo. 

Skopelos unveiled: Where natural beauty meets Hollywood fame

Skopelos is unlike most Greek islands. This is not a cliché, but a fact you can only truly understand by visiting the island yourself.Â