The Greek tanker Sounion, targeted by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea last August, began transferring its cargo of crude oil this week to another tanker, the Delta Blue, in the Suez Canal. This act marks a new escalation of tensions in this strategic region, where the Houthis are intensifying their attacks against ships linked to foreign powers they consider hostile.
After being damaged during the attack in August, the Sounion had to be towed to the port of Suez, to avoid a potential environmental disaster. The tanker is carrying more than a million barrels, or around 150,000 tonnes of crude oil, a volume which, in the event of a spill, could cause disastrous consequences for the ecosystem. The transfer is currently underway under the supervision of Delta Tankers, the Greek company that owns the Sounion and the Delta Blue, and is expected to last between three and four weeks according to the Greek news agency ANA.
Attack in the Red Sea: an international political and military response
On August 21, the Houthis carried out a targeted attack on Sounion off the Yemeni coast. This incident led to the evacuation of the crew, made up of 25 sailors, by a French frigate from the European naval mission present in the region. Houthi rebels, who control strategic areas in Yemen, say they are targeting ships associated with nations allied to Israel, the United States or the United Kingdom, which they accuse of supporting their geopolitical and military adversaries in the region.
Faced with increasingly frequent disruptions in this crucial shipping lane, the United States has mobilized a maritime surveillance coalition to secure international trade in the sector. The Houthi attacks aim to disrupt traffic, exacerbating diplomatic tensions and leading many powers to deploy defense assets in this major transit zone for oil.
Environmental risk: authorities are increasing vigilance
Towing the Sounion to the port of Suez last September required a large-scale mobilization, involving a tugboat, three frigates, helicopters and a special forces team to avert an environmental crisis. Experts had warned of the potential consequences of a sinking, which would have caused an oil spill four times larger than that caused by the Exxon Valdez in 1989 in Alaska.
The Greek authorities and the Ministry of Shipping, although discreet about the details of the operation, ensure that the transfer of the cargo takes place under rigorous control. All measures are being taken to avoid any risk of spills, even though the situation in the Suez Canal remains under close surveillance.
The Houthis, an influential actor in maritime tensions
The Houthis, in control of vast regions in Yemen, are increasing targeted attacks against ships that they identify as symbols of Western alliances. These actions aim to respond to geopolitical conflicts involving Israel, the United States and their allies, and to support the Palestinian cause in the context of tensions in the Middle East. The increased presence of the Houthis and their operations against oil tankers in the sector highlight the vulnerability of this strategic transit zone.
Repeated attacks in this critical sea lane continue to strain international military resources, with the United States and the United Kingdom taking a leading role in securing this oil route. This situation illustrates the complexity of energy and diplomatic issues in the region.
