In a press release posted on its X web page late Monday, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) famous that, yesterday morning, “Iranian-backed Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV Blue Lagoon I and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV Amjad”.
The oil tankers have been attacked “with two ballistic missiles and a one-way assault uncrewed aerial system” the assertion outlined. Each vessels have been hit, it identified.
“Each vessels are laden with crude oil,” the assertion warned, noting that the MV Amjad is carrying roughly two million barrels of oil, which it stated is nearly twice the quantity onboard the Greek-owned MV Delta Sounion, “which the Houthis attacked on August 21”.
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“Presently, salvage efforts are underway within the Southern Crimson Sea for the disabled MV Delta Sounion, which continues to be on hearth and threatens the potential of a serious environmental catastrophe,” the Centcom assertion famous.
“These reckless acts of terrorism by the Houthis proceed to destabilize regional and world commerce, in addition to put the lives of civilian mariners and maritime ecosystems in danger,” it added.
“U.S. Central Command will proceed to work with worldwide companions and allies to guard commerce and mitigate potential impacts to the setting regardless of the irresponsible and careless actions of the Iranian-backed Houthis,” it went on to state.
In a press release posted on its web site on Tuesday, Bahri, which describes itself because the nationwide transport firm of Saudi Arabia, stated, “in response to experiences regarding an incident involving the Bahri tanker Amjad on Monday, 2 September 2024, at roughly 06:27 UTC, we affirm that Amjad was transiting north within the Crimson Sea, close to one other tanker that got here below assault”.
“We unequivocally affirm that Amjad was not focused and sustained no accidents or harm. The vessel stays absolutely operational and is continuing to her deliberate vacation spot with out interruption,” it added.
“Bahri has promptly knowledgeable all related authorities and stays in steady communication with our crew as we vigilantly monitor the scenario,” Bahri continued.
A Reuters article posted yesterday and up to date at the moment named Sea Commerce Marine SA because the Greek supervisor of the Blue Lagoon I. Rigzone couldn’t find the corporate’s web site however has contacted an e mail tackle, listed as belonging to Sea Commerce Marine SA on two Greece-focused firm directories, asking to verify that Sea Commerce Marine SA is the supervisor of the MV Blue Lagoon I and, in that case, if the corporate has any touch upon the assault. On the time of writing, Rigzone has not but obtained a response from the e-mail tackle.
MV Sounion
In a press release posted on its X web page late Monday, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES warned that the MV Sounion, “as a result of great amount of crude oil it carries, presents a major environmental menace”.
“Non-public corporations are concerned within the salvage operation that’s about to start out. Upon their request, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES will present safety to the tug boats, that can take care of the salvage operation and facilitate their efforts to forestall an environmental catastrophe,” it added.
“Presently, a number of fires proceed to burn on the vessel’s predominant deck. The vessel stays anchored with out drifting, and there aren’t any seen indicators of an oil spill,” it continued.
The European Union’s Naval Drive (EUNAVFOR) OPERATION ASPIDES is an EU defensive maritime safety operation below the EU Frequent Safety and Defence Coverage (CSDP), an EU web site states.
In a press release posted on the Worldwide Maritime Group’s (IMO) web site final week, Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-Basic of the IMO, stated he was “extraordinarily involved in regards to the scenario relating to the tanker MV Sounion”.
“That is one more unacceptable assault on worldwide transport, placing the lives of harmless seafarers in danger. I’m grateful to all these concerned within the rescue efforts for guaranteeing the seafarers have now all been safely evacuated,” he added.
“The chance of an oil spill, posing an especially severe environmental hazard, stays excessive and there may be widespread concern in regards to the harm such a spill would trigger throughout the area,” he warned.
Within the assertion, Dominguez stated the IMO is in communication with nationwide, regional, and UN entities, in addition to different stakeholders relating to the continuing incident, including that “we’re prepared to supply assist with any technical help to deal with the continuing security, safety and environmental challenges posed by the stricken vessel”.
To contact the writer, e mail andreas.exarheas@rigzone.com
