An oil tanker attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, raising fears of an environmental catastrophe, has been successfully salvaged, security firm Ambrey confirmed on Friday.
The Sounion, laden with one million barrels of crude oil, posed a significant spill risk after sabotage by the Iran-backed rebel group.
Why It Matters
The Sounion incident underscores escalating maritime threats in the Red Sea amid the broader Israel-Hamas conflict. The Houthis' attacks on commercial vessels have intensified, highlighting the region's fragile security and the risk to global shipping lanes.
A spill of this magnitude could have rivaled the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, devastating ecosystems and threatening economic stability in a critical global shipping corridor.
What to Know
The Greek-flagged tanker Sounion was first attacked on Aug. 21 with small arms, projectiles, and a drone boat. A French destroyer rescued the 29 crew members and private security personnel after they abandoned the vessel. The Houthis later planted explosives on the ship, setting it ablaze in a propaganda video.
Efforts to Salvage the Tanker
It took months for salvage teams, including a European naval force and private security firm Ambrey, to stabilize the Sounion. Ambrey reported extinguishing fires, patching cargo tanks, and pressurizing the vessel with inert gas before towing it to the Suez Canal in early October. The crude oil has now been off-loaded, averting a potential ecological disaster.
Broader Houthi Campaign
Since the war in Gaza began, the Houthis have targeted approximately 100 merchant vessels, seizing one and sinking two. Despite their claims of targeting ships tied to Israel, many attacks have hit unrelated vessels. U.S.-led coalitions have intercepted numerous missiles and drones in the Red Sea.
What People Are Saying
Ambrey on Salvage Operations: "Over three challenging weeks, the fires were extinguished, cargo tanks patched and pressurized with inert gas, and the vessel declared safe."
U.S. State Department: The U.S. warned a spill from the Sounion would have been "four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster," highlighting the stakes involved in the salvage effort.
What Happens Next
With the Sounion secured, focus shifts to mitigating Houthi threats in the Red Sea. While attacks at sea have slowed, the Houthis continue to launch drones and missiles targeting Israel, signaling continued volatility in the region. Efforts to maintain stability in this critical waterway will require sustained international cooperation and increased vigilance from maritime security forces.
This article includes additional reporting from The Associated Press
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