Crew removed from tanker adrift in Red Sea

The stricken Suezmax Sounion is adrift and unmanned after the crew was removed following further attacks in the Red Sea, including by an unmanned surface vehicle (USV).

All crew members were rescued and are being transported to Djibouti, the nearest safe port of call, the EU naval mission EUNAVFOR Aspides said today. Vessel operator Delta Tankers said the master and crew had taken the decision to abandon ship.

Sounion is carrying 150,000t of crude and represents a navigational and environmental hazard, EUNAVFOR said.

The 2006-built tanker loaded Basrah Heavy crude on 11 August, and first came under attack yesterday, 21 August. Three projectiles were fired at the ship, causing it to lose engine power. It was targeted with missiles on five occasions during transit through the western Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea, maritime security firm Ambrey said.

EUNAVFOR said it destroyed a USV that posed "an imminent threat" to Sounion on arrival at the scene. Earlier reports of Sounion being on fire may have been based on flames from the destruction of a USV, Ambrey said.

The Greek-owned and operated Kamsarmax Tutor sank in June with a cargo of coal from Ust-Luga on board after being attacked by a USV.

The 2009-built Supramax bulk carrier SW North Wind I also came under attack yesterday. UKMTO said it received a report of an incident 75 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen. The vessel initially reported two explosions in the water in close to proximity and then a third explosion near the vessel. No damage was reported, and the SW North Wind I was proceeding to its next port of call, UKMTO said.

SW North Wind I last reported its location nine days ago after heading past southern India with a cargo of steel loaded in South Korea on 24 July, data from Kpler show. Shipowner Eagle Bulk sold the Japanese-built Supramax, then called the Stellar Eagle, earlier this year prior to a merger with fellow bulker owner Star Bulk.

By Matthew Mitchell