IMO secretary-general condemns “unacceptable” Red Sea attack

THE INTERNATIONAL Maritime Organization’s secretary-general has spoken following a recent attack on an oil tanker while transiting the Red Sea.

Mr Arsenio Dominguez, who became secretary-general of the organisation on 1 January this year, proclaimed his extreme concern regarding the vessel, calling it “yet another unacceptable attack on international shipping”.

Oil tanker MV Sounion was first attacked last week by the Houthis military group, being hit by multiple projectiles off the Yemeni coast, after which the vessel lost engine power, with the crew being subsequently evacuated.

The problem now is that the Greek-flagged Sounion poses a major environmental risk.

“The tanker is carrying some 150,000 tonnes of oil on board, that is approximately one million barrels of crude oil,” Mr Dominguez said.

“The risk of an oil spill, posing an extremely serious environmental hazard, remains high and there is widespread concern about the damage such a spill would cause within the region.

“IMO is in communication with national, regional and UN entities, as well as other stakeholders regarding the ongoing incident, and we are ready to offer support with any technical assistance to address the ongoing safety, security and environmental challenges posed by the stricken vessel.”

The European Union’s mission in the Red Sea said yesterday that there was no current oil spill in the waters near Sounion, which is anchored, though separate reports, including from the US Pentagon, claim the vessel “appears to be leaking oil”.

The Houthis have now reportedly agreed to allow tugboats and rescue ships to reach the damaged vessel, with fears an oil spill from the ship would be among the largest ever seen.

“I continue to monitor the situation closely and reiterate my call for an immediate end to the illegal, cowardly and unjustifiable attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area,” Mr Dominguez said.

“Merchant ships trading essential supplies and the seafarers serving on them should be free to navigate worldwide, unhindered by geopolitical tensions.”