Red Sea: US Pentagon warns of a potential oil spill

The Greek-owned oil tanker, which caught fire last week following a drone strike, currently appears to be leaking oil, the US Pentagon said in a statement.

PHOTO: Oil tanker MV Sounion. VesselFinder

Iran-aligned Houthi armed group launched multiple drone attacks at the oil tanker, MV Sounion, while it was transiting the Red Sea last week, the European Union Naval Force’s (EUNAVFOR) Red Sea maritime mission Aspides said.

MV Sounion now seems to be stranded in the Red Sea with a potential leak, posing a direct threat to regional maritime navigation and marine life, the US Department of Defense said.

The vessel, owned by Greek shipping company Delta Tankers, was carrying 150,000 mt of crude at the time of the attack, according to Aspides. It was targeted with several projectiles off Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, starting a fire onboard, after which it “lost its engine power,” Aspides said.

“The MV Delta Sounion now sits immobilized in the Red Sea, where it is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe,” Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said.

These repeated attacks on commercial vessels have heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and raised safety concerns in the global shipping industry. “Although the Houthis have claimed that they're conducting these attacks in support of the Palestinian people, their actions prove to the contrary,” Ryder added.

By Aparupa Mazumder

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online