MV Sounion – Update

Updating the previous post about the MV Sounion, attempts to salvage the stricken crude oil tanker were abandoned this week.

Aspides, the EU’s naval force that is providing protection for the operation, said “…that the conditions were not met to conduct the towing operation and that it was not safe to proceed.”

Its not exactly clear what that means specifically, but initial indications are that this is more for resource/technical reasons, rather than security ones. The Houthi rebel forces had previously agreed safe passage to the salvage crews and for the vessel to be towed to safety.

With 1 million barrels’ worth of oil still on board, there is a lot riding on this process, both economically and environmentally.