In its newest maritime safety menace advisory (MSTA), which was printed this week, Dryad World warned {that a} lately attacked oil tanker within the Crimson Sea “represents a major environmental menace”.
“On August 21, 2024, the Greek-flagged Delta oil tanker Sounion, carrying 150,000 metric tons of Iraqi crude oil, was attacked by Houthi rebels within the Crimson Sea,” Dryad mentioned within the MSTA.
“Following the assault, which concerned a number of projectile strikes, the crew deserted the ship, and it was left adrift. On August 23, 2024, the Houthis launched a video depicting the explosion of fees positioned on the Sounion,” it added.
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“A minimum of 5 fires have been noticed, the vast majority of which have been believed to have originated within the oil maintain, and the vessel remains to be burning as of August 26, 2024. The tanker represents a major environmental menace,” it went on to state.
Dryad famous within the MSTA that there was conflicting reporting a few potential oil spill.
“Satellite tv for pc imagery from PLANET on August 24, 2024, at 0745 UTC confirmed a possible ~2000 km2 spill on the location a day after the strike,” Dryad mentioned within the MSTA.
“In keeping with the European Union’s Naval Mission within the Crimson Sea, operation ASPIDES, the ship stays in worldwide waters and doesn’t but look like leaking oil,” it added.
Dryad warned within the MSTA {that a} potential oil spill within the Crimson Sea might have catastrophic environmental impacts, affecting marine life, coastal and intertidal zones, human well being and economic system, desalination vegetation, delivery, and international commerce.
“The spill might surpass the Exxon Valdez spill in instant ecological harm, and the restoration might take many years, with everlasting modifications to biodiversity and financial constructions possible,” Dryad added.
In a press release posted on its X web page on August 26, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES mentioned the MV Sounion has been on hearth since August 23.
“An EUNAVFOR ASPIDES unit transiting the realm reported that there are fires on not less than 5 places noticed on the primary deck of the vessel. It’s estimated that these are situated across the hatches of the vessel’s oil tanks,” it added.
“Moreover, a part of the superstructure is on hearth, too. Up to now there aren’t any apparent indicators of an oil spill. The ship stays anchored on the identical level in worldwide waters. All vessels within the space should train excessive warning, because the MV Sounion is each a navigational and an imminent environmental hazard,” it continued.
“This case underlines that these sorts of assaults pose not solely a menace towards the liberty of navigation but in addition to the lives of seafarers, the surroundings, and subsequently the lifetime of all residents dwelling in that area,” it went on to state.
In a separate X submit on August 24, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES famous that, on August 22, it carried out a Security Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) operation as an instantaneous response to the MV Sounion grasp’s request for an pressing help.
“In the course of the SOLAS Operation, the MV Sounion was anchored in worldwide waters within the southern Crimson Sea and there was no seen hearth on it,” it added.
“On August 23, the vessel was on hearth as the results of an assault by an unknown supply, posing a major environmental menace as a result of giant quantity of crude oil on board, which might result in a extreme ecological catastrophe with probably devastating results on the area’s biodiversity,” it continued.
In one other X submit on August 22, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES said that, “on August 21, the MV Sounion, which had not requested for EUNAFVOR ASPIDES safety, got here below an assault within the South Crimson Sea space and misplaced its engine energy”.
“Following a request from the grasp, the operation dispatched a ship to be able to rescue the crew. Whereas approaching the realm, the EUNAVFOR ASPIDES ship destroyed an Unmanned Floor Vessel (USV) that posed an imminent menace to the ship and the crew,” it mentioned.
“All on board the MV Sounion have been subsequently rescued and are being transported to Djibouti, the closest protected port of name. The lives of seafarers and freedom on the excessive seas are non-negotiable values and their safety is a key goal of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES,” it went on to state.
The European Union’s Naval Power (EUNAVFOR) OPERATION ASPIDES is an EU defensive maritime safety operation below the EU Widespread Safety and Defence Coverage (CSDP), an EU web site states.
Rigzone has contacted Delta Tankers for touch upon the Sounion assault. On the time of writing, Delta has not but responded to Rigzone’s request.
To contact the writer, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
