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Update Sounion

Update Sounion

Sounion
Photo: EUNAVFOR ASPIDES

August 21

Confirm reports state the following:

  • The Sounion was impacted by three projectiles on the starboard quarter damaging the engine room
  • A fire in the engine room had been contained, but the fire and explosion had caused a power blackout on the tanker
  • The crew was able to abandon ship with one crew member sustaining a minor injury
  • The Sounion was able to drop anchor

August 23

A second attack was executed on the abandoned 274 meter long, 163,759 dwt oil tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145). Explosive charges were placed on the deck and detonated resulting in further explosions and fires on at least five sections on the main deck. The Sounion appears to still be afloat, but reports state the vessel’s structural integrity is at high risk.

August 28

An attempt to salvage the Sounion ended in failure.  Two tugs were dispatched with plans to bring the tanker under tow to a safety, but these tugs were threatened with being attacked and the salvage attempted was called off. United States military reports that the Sounion has begun leaking crude oil, but no oil sheen is visible around the tanker. With over one million barrels of crude oil onboard, the Sounion has a potential of leaking nearly 4 times as much oil as released by the Exxon Valdez (257,000 barrels released in 1989). Reports state the Sounion could easily break apart as the tanker’s integrity continues to fail caused by the damage and fires.

August 29

Reports state salvage vessels and tugboat will be allowed to proceed to the Sounion.  Multiple countries had made a plea to allow salvage in order to avoid environmental disaster which prompted the policy change. No details on how quickly the salvage team can reach the tanker and if the structural integrity will allow it to be towed to a secure location. It is assumed the priority is to extinguish the fires and cool down the hull before any lightering or taking the vessel under tow.

Sounion

Sounion

Sounion
Photo: x.com

On August 21, the 274 meter long, 163,759 dwt oil tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145) caught fire in the Red Sea some 77 nautical miles off Hodeidah, Yeman. The Sounion was enroute to Iraq  with 150,000 tons of crude oil when it was approached by two small vessels off Yemen. The vessels approached the tanker within a few miles before they turned away after an exchange of small arms fire. Soon after the Sounion was struck by multiple projectiles resulting in explosions and fire on board the tanker. Reports state the engine room sustained material damage disabling the steering. The Sounion went adrift for a short time before the crew was later able to drop anchor.

Sounion
Photo: x.com

 

Conflicting reports state the crew of 25 on board the Sounion remained on board the tanker to assess damage.  However, there are reports that the crew had abandoned ship in the vessel’s lifeboat and was rescued by the nearby vessel. This same report stated the crew was later transported to Dijbouti.  No reports of the extent of damage caused by the projectiles on board the Sounion or if any oil pollution had been released.

The attack on the Sounion was not an isolated event.  The 190 meter long, 55989 dwt bulk carrier SW North Wind (IMO: 9514004) reported five explosions near the vessel while 57 miles off Aden. The explosions did not cause any damage and there were no reports of injuries. The bulk carrier was able to continue on its voyage.

Sounion

 

Taba

Taba

Taba
Photo: newsmaritime.com

The 117 meter long, 3133 dwt ro-ro cargo vessel Taba capsized and sank in the Red Sea just outside the port of Safaga, Egypt. The Taba had just departed from Safaga bound for Dhiba with cargo of trucks when it suffered a cargo shift.  The 37 persons on board were able to safely abandon ship and were later rescued by Egyptian rescue boats. The Taba  capsized and sank. No reports of injuries.  Reports state the trucks on deck had not be properly secured which lead to the incident.