The Red Sea is on the brink of an environmental disaster, with the Greek-flagged oil tanker Sounion at the center of the crisis. Struck by missiles launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the tanker, carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil, is now reportedly leaking crude, raising alarms about a potential large-scale oil spill that could wreak havoc on the region’s delicate marine ecosystem.
The Sounion, a 274-metre-long vessel owned by Greece-based Delta Tankers, was immobilised following the attack last Wednesday, which occurred 77 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. Since then, efforts to salvage the tanker have been fraught with challenges. The Houthis, who have waged a series of attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, have continued to threaten vessels attempting to rescue the stricken tanker, forcing salvage crews to withdraw.
Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick Ryder has warned of a “potential environmental catastrophe” and emphasised the urgent need for action. “It is currently on fire and appears to be leaking oil, presenting both a navigational hazard and a potential environmental catastrophe,” Ryder stated during a press briefing on Tuesday.
This incident underscores the critical need for enhanced supply chain and climate impact visibility, particularly for Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs) and logistics service providers (LSPs). The ability to access real-time data insights is essential for making business-critical decisions that could mitigate the risks associated with such crises.
Statistics Paint a Grim Picture
The Sounion carries approximately 150,000 tonnes of crude, equivalent to about 1 million barrels of oil. A large-scale oil spill in the Red Sea would be the first serious environmental damage directly linked to the Houthi campaign against international shipping since November. The potential for a catastrophic oil leak is compounded by the fact that the Houthis have previously sunk two ships, the Rubymar in February and the Tutor in June, resulting in the loss of four mariners’ lives.
A Crisis That Demands Solutions
The apparent oil leak from the Sounion comes after the Houthis posted a video showing a massive explosion on the vessel, claiming responsibility for the attack. Despite efforts by the EU’s Operation Aspides naval force, which rescued the tanker’s 29 crew members the following day, the threat of environmental disaster looms large.
While previous incidents have not resulted in environmental damage on this scale, the situation with the Sounionhighlights the urgent need for BCOs and LSPs to adopt advanced supply chain visibility and climate impact software. These tools can provide real-time data insights, enabling stakeholders to respond swiftly and effectively to such crises, safeguarding both the environment and their supply chains.
Delta Tankers has stated that they are doing everything possible to move the vessel and its cargo, but the situation remains perilous. As the Sounion continues to burn, with “at least” five fires visible on the vessel, the need for comprehensive visibility across the supply chain has never been more apparent.