Greek Oil Tanker Ablaze in Red Sea After Multiple Attacks: Crew Safe, Ship Adrift

In a dramatic escalation of maritime tensions, a Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, came under siege in the Red Sea on Wednesday morning. The vessel, carrying a crew of 25, was subjected to multiple attacks, leaving it engulfed in flames and drifting helplessly in international waters.

The incident occurred approximately 77 nautical miles (143 kilometers) west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah. Reports from the Greek shipping ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicate that the Sounion faced an onslaught from more than a dozen assailants aboard two small boats. The attackers fired multiple projectiles at the ship, leading to a brief exchange of fire.

As the situation escalated, a subsequent attack resulted in a fire breaking out on the Sounion. The blaze compromised the vessel's engine power and maneuverability, leaving it adrift in the treacherous waters of the Red Sea. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, which consists of 23 Filipino and two Russian nationals.

Greece's Maritime Affairs Minister, Christos Stylianides, strongly condemned the attack, calling it "a flagrant violation of international law and a serious threat to the security of international shipping." Greek authorities suggested that the ship may have been targeted by missiles or drones, underscoring the sophisticated nature of the threat.

The attack on the Sounion is the latest in a series of incidents disrupting international shipping in the region. Since November, the Iran-aligned Houthi group has targeted vessels near Yemen, purportedly in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. However, as of this report, the Houthis had not claimed responsibility for this particular attack.

Delta Tankers, the operator of the Sounion, confirmed that the ship had sustained minor damage and was adrift. The vessel was en route from Iraq to a port near Athens, where several refineries are located, according to the Greek port authority.

This incident is not isolated for Delta Tankers. It marks the third vessel operated by the company to be targeted in recent times. Earlier this month, the Liberia-flagged Delta Atlantica and Delta Blue tankers were also attacked, highlighting the increasing risks faced by commercial vessels in the region.

In a separate but equally concerning development on the same day, another merchant ship, the Panama-flagged SW North Wind I, reported five explosions in nearby waters south of the Yemeni port city of Aden. The UKMTO confirmed that the crew remained unharmed and that the vessel was proceeding to its next scheduled port.

The persistent threat of Houthi attacks has forced many ship owners to reconsider their routes, opting for longer and more expensive journeys around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the perilous Red Sea region. The human cost of these attacks is significant, with two ships sunk and at least three crew members losing their lives in previous incidents.

As the international community grapples with this escalating maritime crisis, the attack on the Sounion serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by commercial vessels in conflict-prone waters. The incident raises urgent questions about the security measures needed to protect international shipping lanes and the potential economic ramifications of continued disruptions in this crucial maritime corridor.

With tensions running high and the safety of crew members at stake, the maritime industry and global powers are under increasing pressure to find a solution to this complex and dangerous situation in the Red Sea. As investigations into the Sounion attack continue, the world watches closely, hoping for a swift resolution to ensure the safety of seafarers and the stability of global trade routes.