Greek tanker adrift after multiple attacks in Red Sea

A Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, is adrift in the Red Sea following multiple attacks that resulted in a fire and loss of engine power.

The vessel was first targeted in the morning on August 21 by two small boats and struck by several projectiles approximately 77 nautical miles west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that there was a brief exchange of small arms fire, and the tanker experienced further attacks that caused the fire and disabled its engines.

The Greek shipping ministry and UKMTO confirmed that the 25 crew members, consisting of two Russians and 23 Filipinos, were unharmed.

Delta Tankers, the ship’s operator, noted that the Sounion had sustained minor damage and was adrift. The crew is currently assessing the situation, and the vessel is expected to resume its journey under its own power.

In a related development, another vessel reported two explosions in the water about 57 nautical miles south of Aden. The crew was reported safe, and the vessel continued to its next destination.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have been targeting international shipping in the region since November, in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks have prompted retaliatory strikes by the US and Britain and have caused disruptions in global trade, leading ship owners to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa.