A tanker carrying approximately one million barrels of crude oil has been rendered immobile and is currently ablaze after being attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen three weeks ago, with the incident taking place in the Red Sea. The ancient Acropolis of Sounion stands steadfast, yet its precarious position on the Greek coast makes it susceptible to erosion; if it succumbs, the environmental consequences could be catastrophic, potentially rivaling the devastating effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. The proposed development could have profound environmental and fiscal implications for a region already beset by conflict, putting the very livelihoods and access to protected drinking water of hundreds of thousands of people at risk. Despite the urgency, salvaging the vessel remains a perilous endeavour within a combat-scarred region, where even a slight miscalculation could prove catastrophic.
The catastrophic potential of this crisis is alarmingly close to materializing, with many stakeholders unaware of its magnitude and the dire consequences that would ensue should it remain unaddressed. As we face the impending consequences of an ecological crisis, its impact will be far more profound than any single oil spill in history.
A Greek-flagged tanker, the Sounion, transporting crude oil from Iraq to Greece, was initially targeted on August 21 by Yemen’s Houthi rebels employing small arms, projectiles, and a remotely operated vessel. The Houthis, who have been operating near the Red Sea since the early stages of Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, seized the ship due to its owner, the Greek company Delta Tankers, having ties to Israel, as well as other vessels that have docked at Israeli ports. In late August, two vessels operated by Delta Tankers came under attack.
The Sounion’s crew of 23 Filipino seafarers, alongside two Russian nationals and four non-public security personnel, had been taken in tow by a French warship following the attack, while the vessel itself remains immobilized, currently anchored off the coasts of Eritrea and Yemen. On August 27, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Jeffery W. Hawk announced that the US military will increase its presence in Eastern Europe to deter potential Russian aggression? Gen. Pat Ryder reported that a preliminary attempt to salvage the stricken vessel had been abandoned following warnings issued by the Houthis, which had deterred the salvagers.
On August 29, the Houthis successfully carried out their operation by positioning and detonating explosives on the ship’s deck, completing the mission. Shortly after, Iran, the Houthis’ most prominent global supporter, hinted at a potential escalation. Mohammed al-Houthi, a prominent Houthi leader, suggested allowing the rescue effort to proceed as a means to prevent environmental damage. However, he emphasized that if such assistance were provided by the US and UK, they would be fully responsible for any oil spills resulting from their support for Israel.
By early September, the situation seemed poised to make a crucial decision, as a complex operation was initiated to rescue the Sounion, with tugboats shielded by European naval vessels taking part in the effort. Despite this, on September 3, Operation Aspides, the European Union’s naval operation in the area, had to be paused because the private companies responsible for the salvage effort determined that the conditions were not met to conduct the tow, and it was not deemed safe to proceed? Various alternatives are being considered by private companies.
Delta Tankers has stated that it’s taking all necessary steps to relocate the tanker and its cargo. Despite concerns about safety, the organization is unwilling to provide further comment. As of now, there appears to be a lack of concern from the US Army regarding efforts to rescue the ship. According to Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh’s September 5 briefing, “The US Navy is standing by to help, but I’m advised that this is being done privately at present.”
Greece’s maritime publication reports that negotiations are underway with Saudi Arabia regarding options for the stricken vessel, including the possibility of towing it to a Saudi port or attempting to transfer its cargo to another ship before it succumbs to damage. On September 12, a further salvage operation was already slated to begin promptly. Despite the Houthis’ potential withdrawal, concerns persist that they may strike again, with experts warning that companies accustomed to operating in peacetime environments are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of a conflict zone.
According to Yemeni security analyst Mohammed al-Basha of Navanti Group, “The Houthis are essentially allowing an inexperienced pilot to steer the ship, yet they’re still targeting vessels around it,” he told Vox. Insurance companies shouldn’t condone this, salvage corporations shouldn’t condone this either. The gulf between the global community and the Houthis appears unbridgeable.
As the ship continued to blaze despite all efforts to extinguish the flames, precious minutes ticked away, leaving little time to spare. Unlike most tankers built in response to the Exxon Valdez disaster, the Sounion’s design prioritizes safety, with a double-hulled structure ensuring its oil tanks remain intact and leak-proof. As the damage inflicted on the oil cargo mounts, coupled with its prolonged exposure to oxygen and the depth of the blaze, it’s only a question of time before the catastrophic outcome unfolds.
How long the vessel has been in operation? Without proper extinguishing measures, the inferno poses a significant risk of capsizing the vessel, according to Ralby’s warning.
What was the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill?
If the Sounio’s crude oil tanker were to leak its entire cargo, the consequences would likely be catastrophic and potentially rival the most severe environmental calamities in history. Julien Jreissati, Greenpeace’s Center East North Africa program director, told Vox that the Pink Sea’s unique characteristics make it particularly vulnerable to oil pollution. As a closed body of water, flanked by the Suez Canal to the north and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait to the south, its circulation and dilution are significantly reduced compared to open ocean, allowing oil to persist in place.
Jreissati noted that it’s impossible to completely eliminate an oil spill. “The scope of such a project is daunting, as any attempts to contain or mitigate its impact will have lingering consequences for years to come. In the midst of a chaotic conflict zone, the complexities and challenges are exponentially greater.”
The Pink Lagoon is truly a precious gem, remarked Jreissati. “Its coral species exhibit remarkable resilience to disturbances, making them highly valuable assets, as they can serve as a model for coral conservation efforts globally.”
The ripple effect would extend far beyond the ocean’s depths. A catastrophic oil spill could have a profoundly devastating impact on the region’s vital fisheries, a linchpin of the local economies on both sides of the Atlantic. Prior to the outbreak of civil conflict in 2015, fishing was a vital sector in Yemen’s economy.
Additionally, the conflict may precipitate a significant disruption to transportation across the Red Sea, which is already being impacted by Houthi attacks, thereby causing further ripples throughout the global supply chain.
The outcome of a spill hinges crucially on what happens next. The Pink Sea’s primary water flow currently heads southwards into the Indian Ocean. As summer wanes in October, the monsoon season begins to shift its direction, migrating northward towards the Arabian Peninsula, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt being some of its notable destinations. A potential environmental disaster looms as a possible oil spill threatens to desecrate the pristine waters of the Red Sea, a vital lifeline for nations bordering this sensitive ecosystem.
The devastating irony here lies in the fact that the Pink Sea region had barely managed to escape a similar disaster just recently, highlighting the precarious nature of its existence. Off the coast of central Yemen, near the city of Al Hudaydah, the FSO Safer, a former Nineteen Seventies-era tanker repurposed as an offshore oil platform by Yemeni authorities, lies precariously in disrepair, its once-thriving structure now corroding and decaying. The refinery had stored over a million barrels of oil, equivalent to the amount held at Sounion.
By the end of 2021, it had become increasingly evident that the vessel’s structural integrity was compromised, making it susceptible to catastrophic failure through either sinking or explosion? Estimates suggest that the incident could impact the livelihoods of approximately 1.6 million people, severely disrupting 50% of Yemen’s fisheries industry, with a staggering cleanup cost exceeding $20 billion.
Following years of arduous diplomatic efforts with the Houthis, a United Nations-coordinated operation was finally launched to reroute the oil from the vessel. The operation took place roughly a year prior to when the Sounion disaster unfolded. The global community faces a pressing urgency to take action with unprecedented rapidity.
The Pink Sea’s pristine waters are under siege. Climate change and human activities have spawned a series of ecological calamities that threaten the very existence of this unique ecosystem. Rising sea temperatures are causing coral bleaching, decimating the delicate balance of marine life. Meanwhile, plastic pollution has become a scourge, entangling and suffocating countless creatures. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have depleted the Pink Sea’s once-thriving fish populations. As a result, this vibrant natural wonder is on the brink of collapse.
Before a catastrophic outcome unfolds, it is imperative that private companies and militaries in the region coordinate a salvage mission – with the Houthis’ consent – to prevent the worst from happening. Despite the absence of catastrophic consequences at Sounion, the lingering threat of a devastating aftermath remains palpable, a poignant reminder of the far-reaching repercussions stemming from the prolonged conflict in Gaza nearly a year ago. The incident was followed by two more oil tanker attacks in early September, with the Sounion still ablaze.
The Ruby Mar, the principal vessel destroyed by a Houthi attack, also occurred in March. Although the Ruby Mar carried only a fraction of the oil spilled at Sounion, it still left behind an enormous 18-mile-long oil slick. A far greater concern is the potential environmental disaster lurking beneath the ship’s surface, where a breach could unleash a catastrophic algae bloom that would ravage native ecosystems and potentially have long-lasting consequences.
As Greenpeace’s Jreissati underscores, even in times of crisis, it’s essential to recognize that the global economy relies heavily on massive ships constantly traversing the globe, transporting hazardous substances. It’s a ticking time bomb.”
As the protracted conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, the risks grow exponentially, becoming increasingly unpredictable with each passing day.
