Companies weigh other options for Sounion tanker as towing deemed unsafe, EU mission says By Reuters

LONDON/ATHENS (Reuters) – Private companies involved in salvaging the Sounion tanker, which was attacked by Yemen’s Houthis in the Red Sea, are exploring other options after the towing operation was deemed unsafe, the European Union’s naval mission said on Tuesday.

The Sounion, which was struck on August 21 and which the Houthis and maritime sources said was rigged with explosives, is loaded with about one million barrels and is still burning.

The EU naval force Aspides said it would provide protection to the tugboats handling the rescue operation.

“The private companies responsible for the salvage operation concluded that the conditions were not met to carry out the towing operation and it was not safe to continue,” Aspides said in a post on X on Tuesday.

“Alternative solutions are now being explored by private companies.”

If a spill occurs, it has the potential to be among the largest from a ship in recorded history and could cause an environmental catastrophe in an area that is particularly dangerous to enter.

“The operation is ongoing and ongoing assessments are needed. This will take some time,” a source familiar with the matter told Reuters, adding that conditions were complex.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants said they would allow rescue teams to tow the ship to safety. The ship’s crew was evacuated.

The ship’s operator, Greece-based Delta Tankers, declined further comment, citing Aspides’ statement.

Three other sources familiar with the matter added that a re-evaluation of the plan was necessary because there were high risks with the rescue, which one described as a “surgical operation”. Another said that the risks were initially underestimated and that more technical and personnel resources were needed.

The Houthis first launched drone and missile airstrikes on the waterway in November. They say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians under attack in Israel’s war on Gaza. In more than 70 attacks, the Houthis sank two ships, captured another and killed at least three sailors.