LAST UPDATE: 17:42
There has been no fuel leakage from the ship Sounion, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES reported in a recent update, citing media reports from the area where the ship remains anchored.
According to the same reports, fires were detected in various locations on the main deck of the vessel.
EUNAVFOR ASPIDES advises all ships passing through the area to proceed with maximum caution as the Sounion ship poses a threat to navigation and a serious environmental hazard to the area.
“To avoid a catastrophic environmental disaster, the ASPIDES operation, in collaboration with European authorities, is assessing the situation and is prepared to take action.
Collaboration with all countries in the region and their active participation is required,” the update concludes.
The European Union’s “Aspides” mission in the Red Sea is evaluating protective measures, including the potential towing of the oil tanker MV Sounion, which recently became a target off the coast of Yemen, a source told Reuters earlier today.
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that the Greek-flagged tanker continued to burn in the Red Sea.
For his part, the Greek commander of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, Rear Admiral Vasileios Gryparis, informed the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers and local authorities in the Red Sea area about the status of the Sounion vessel: “it remains anchored in the maritime area and is on fire. The situation poses a serious and immediate threat of local pollution with coastal states at the highest risk.”
“To avoid a catastrophic environmental crisis, the ASPIDES operation, in collaboration with European authorities, is thoroughly examining the situation and taking protective measures for actions such as potentially towing the vessel,” he reported.
The Greek commander calls for “close cooperation and active participation” from the regional states to prevent the threat. “Your readiness and cooperation are crucial in avoiding an environmental disaster that could have huge consequences for the wider area,” he emphasizes.
At the same time, he expresses the readiness of the maritime forces of the ASPIDES operation -within the framework of their existing mandate- to do their utmost to assist in this effort, despite lacking specialized equipment for such a mission.
SOURCE: AMPE