Greek Tanker Sounion Set Ablaze in Red Sea by Assailants; Crew Rescued by EU Naval Mission

In an alarming escalation of maritime peril, the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion suffered multiple attacks while transiting the Red Sea, resulting in a fire that has left the vessel adrift and its crew in need of rescue. The tanker, operated by Delta Tankers and traveling from Iraq to Athens, became the focal point of an international incident involving an armed assault by over a dozen individuals aboard two small boats.

Wednesday's early morning attack occurred approximately 77 nautical miles west of Yemen's Hodeidah port, triggering a distressing sequence of events for the Sounion and its crew, composed of 23 Filipinos and 2 Russians. According to reports from the Greek shipping ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), there was an exchange of fire before a second onslaught caused the fire and the subsequent loss of engine power.

The gravity of the situation prompted a response from the European Union's Red Sea naval mission, which acted upon a request for assistance from the shipping company and the captain. The crew abandoned the tanker and were rescued without reported injuries, fortifying concerns over the security challenges international vessels face in the region.

Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Christos Stylianides sternly criticized the attacks as grave contraventions of international law, emphasizing the implications for the safety of global shipping operations. Greece has suggested that missiles or drones may have been deployed during the assault on the Sounion, which is currently speculated to be linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi group's previous disruptive activities near Yemen.

The Houthis have been known to target international shipping since November last year, citing solidarity with Palestinians amidst regional conflicts. However, no assertion of responsibility has been claimed for the recent attack on the Sounion.

Delta Tankers has acknowledged the incident, maintaining that the Sounion sustained only minor structural damage despite being adrift. This attack marks the third time a Delta Tankers vessel has encountered hostility in these geopolitically tense seas, following the earlier targeted incidents involving Delta Atlantica and Delta Blue.

Adding to Wednesday's concerns, another ship, the Panama-flagged SW North Wind I, reported five explosions in the vicinity south of Aden, echoing the heightened risks faced by maritime crews in this strategic waterway. The crew remained unharmed, and the ship pursued its course to the next port of call.

Frequent attacks by the Houthi faction have led shipowners to consider alternate, risk-averse routes, bypassing the Red Sea and navigating around Africa despite increased journey durations and associated costs. Such detours have been necessitated by past attacks that have resulted in the sinking of ships and loss of lives.

The international community closely monitors these developments, aware of the significant impact any disruption in this vital maritime passage has on the global economy and security. Investigations are underway as diplomats and security experts strive to devise strategies to ensure safe passage for maritime vessels in these fraught waters.