On 21 August 2024 the Greek owned, laden oil tanker MT SOUNION was targeted by Houthi
militants in the southern Red Sea. Strikes from anti-ship missiles destroyed critical control
systems and the vessel lost propulsion. On August 22, following an urgent distress call from
the ship’s Captain, the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), Operation “ASPIDES”, swiftly
dispatched a naval asset (a French frigate) to execute a rescue operation of the crew.
Despite continued attacks by Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs), all 29 crew members were safely evacuated by ASPIDES’ asset.
On 23 August 2024 the Houthis boarded the vessel before detonating explosive charges on
the main decks and bridge which started 19 fires and breached her cargo tank tops. A film
released online by the Houthis was then widely circulated in international media. The
SOUNION was stricken 58 miles off the Yemeni coast, under close watch by Houthi mother
ships and in easy range of all their weapon systems.
A commercial salvage operation was launched by the vessel insurers, which was led by
Ambrey. Major diplomatic efforts were required to support the necessary military, security,
salvage and logistics efforts to rescue the vessel before her structural integrity succumbed
to the heat of the fires raging onboard, or she continued dragging her anchor and ran
aground. On 24 August the US State Department issued a statement claiming the vessel
risked an oil spill into the Red Sea ‘four times the size of the Exxon Valdez disaster’.
The extensive firefighting mission required to make the vessel safe could not be undertaken
in her initial location. However, a tow of a laden tanker whilst on fire was not something that
had ever been undertaken at this scale before. Salvage operations could only begin once
explosive ordnance disposal experts had inspected the vessel and cleared it of any
unexploded ordnance or improvised explosive devices, her anchor raised, and a primary
towing tug put in position.
The availability of advanced salvage and firefighting equipment within the southern Red
Sea and Gulf of Aden is extremely limited. The scale and complexity of what had happened
meant that specialist tugs were mobilized from Greece and firefighting equipment flown in
on chartered aircraft, along with specialists from around the world. Circumventing normal
customs lead times to enable critical equipment to reach the SOUNION in time took
diplomatic engagement at the highest levels. The specialists required for the salvage,
firefighting and oil spill response had to be prepared to conduct their already difficult and
dangerous tasks in the midst of a war zone.
In mid-September, a flotilla of seven salvage vessels supported by three EUNAVFOR
ASPIDES’ naval assets and close air support successfully reached SOUNION and towed her
to a safe and secluded location 150 miles to the north. The protection provided by
EUNAVFOR was critical in providing the security required. Firefighting faced huge
challenges with the heat and humidity of the Red Sea, meaning operations were primarily
conducted at night. Over three challenging weeks, the fires were extinguished, cargo tanks
patched and pressurised with inert gas, and the vessel declared safe. In early October, she
was towed north to Suez for removal of her cargo, which has now been successfully
completed.
The project to save the SOUNION was a complex salvage operation inside a sensitive military
and security operation, Ambrey says.
“Ambrey pays tribute and is grateful to all the brave military and civilian partners, suppliers,
and crew members involved in this complex salvage operation. The collaboration and
dedication from all parties enabled us to collectively prevent an environmental
catastrophe, save the vessel, and keep all involved safe. This project is a testament to the
true purpose of all those who contributed,” said Christopher Crookall, Ambrey CEO.