A Greek-flagged oil tanker, Sounion, with 25 crew members on board, is adrift in the Red Sea after suffering fires following multiple attacks. The tanker was assaulted by over a dozen individuals on two small boats, who fired several projectiles at the ship while it was approximately 77 nautical miles (143 km) west of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday morning.
According to the Greek Ministry of Shipping and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a brief firefight ensued. Subsequent reports indicated another attack that caused a fire and led to a loss of engine power and the vessel’s maneuverability. There have been no reported injuries among the crew, which consists of 23 Filipinos and two Russians.
Greek Minister for Shipping Safety, Christos Stylianides, condemned the attack as “an obvious violation of international law and a serious threat to the safety of international shipping.” Greece stated that the vessel may have been struck by either missiles or drones.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels began targeting international shipping near Yemen last year, justifying their actions as a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in light of the war in Gaza. The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack on Sounion.
Delta Tankers, the operator of the ship, confirmed that Sounion is adrift and has sustained minor damage. The ship was en route from Iraq to a port near Athens, which is home to several refineries. Sounion is the third Delta Tankers-operated vessel to be targeted by the Houthis. Earlier this month, the Liberia-flagged tankers Delta Atlantica and Delta Blue were hit in separate attacks.
In another incident south of the Yemeni port city of Aden on Wednesday, a merchant ship reported five explosions in nearby waters, which UKMTO later identified as the Panama-flagged SW North Wind I. The crew was reported to be unharmed, and the ship continued to its next port.
Houthi attacks have prompted many shipowners to avoid the Red Sea region, opting for longer and more costly routes around the southern tip of Africa. These attacks have resulted in the sinking of two vessels and the deaths of at least three crew members.