A Greek-owned and flagged oil tanker is ablaze and adrift in the Red Sea following a series of attacks, according to British and Greek authorities.
The Sounion was initially targeted by gunfire from two small boats that approached it early on Wednesday, approximately 77 nautical miles (143 km) west of Yemen’s port of Hudaydah, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office.
Later, the vessel was hit by three unidentified projectiles, causing a fire onboard and disabling its engine power. There were no reported injuries among the 25 crew members. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, which Greece’s minister of maritime affairs condemned as a blatant violation of international law.
The Master reported a further attack by an unknown projectile. There is a fire onboard and the vessel has lost engine power. The vessel is drifting and not under command. The Master also reports a small craft acting suspiciously in the vicinity.
As explained, the Sounion, which is a 274m-long and 50m-wide “Suezmax” tanker, was carrying crude oil from the Iraqi port of Basra when it was attacked.
The Sounion is the third ship operated by Delta Tankers to be targeted by the Houthis. Earlier this month, the militants conducted separate attacks on the Liberia-flagged Delta Atlantica and the Delta Blue tankers.
Furthermore, on 21st August the captain of the cargo ship SW North Wind I, sailing off the coast of Aden, reported two explosions in the surrounding waters, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
A third explosion was reported later, and then two more after that.
Fortunately, neither the crew nor the ship was injured in the incidents. The U.S.-based owner and manager of the Panama-flagged vessel has not yet responded to requests for comment.
No damage reported, the crew are safe and well and vessels is proceeding to its next port of call.
