Greece, Saudi Arabia coordinate towage of tanker "MV Sounion" (video)

The Greek tanker MV Sounion has been burning in the Red Sea since August 23, threatening the world with one of the most devastating environmental disasters in history. The Houthis have agreed to allow tugboats to remove the vessel.

Greece and Saudi Arabia coordinate operation to tow tanker from Red Sea. According to Bloomberg sources, Greece is leading the effort to tow the Sounion, which was attacked last week in the Red Sea.

The Greek-flagged vessel was carrying 150,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil when it was attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels. The crew was rescued, but the tanker caught fire in several places due to Houthi shelling and it is unclear if there is currently a leak.

The plan is for the oil to be transferred to another vessel and the MV Sounion to be towed to a safe port, likely Djibouti. According to the same sources, it will be accompanied by Greek, French and Italian ships from the European naval operation “Shields”, and the Saudis will most likely control the transshipment of oil.

The Houthis agreed to the towage because a major oil spill would have serious consequences for the coasts of Yemen and neighboring countries.

The towing plan is the result of close coordination between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, European partners and key regional players such as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bloomberg reports. Athens has also reached an informal agreement with Tehran.

Speaking in Brussels, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said he had spoken to the Saudi Arabian foreign minister to assure him that “this issue will be resolved in conditions of maximum security.”

A US Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday that the ship appeared to be leaking, posing a risk of environmental disaster, a claim denied by Operation Shield officials.

At worst, notes CNN Greece, The spill of the entire cargo of the MV Sounion would be the fifth largest spill on record.

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