On August 21, 2024, the Greek-flagged oil products tanker Sounion encountered a hostile situation in the Red Sea, approximately 142 kilometers west of Hodeidah, Yemen's principal port on the Red Sea. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was approached by two small craft carrying about 15 individuals, resulting in a brief exchange of small arms fire.
The incident occurred in a region that has become increasingly perilous for international shipping. Since November 2023, Iran-aligned Houthi militants have been targeting vessels in the area, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October 2023.
According to the UKMTO, the Sounion was struck by three projectiles during the attack. While the 25 crew members aboard the tanker fortunately escaped unharmed, the vessel lost its ability to maneuver, a critical capability for maritime safety and navigation.
The Red Sea, a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean situated between Africa and Asia, serves as a vital shipping lane for global trade. This recent attack underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region, which have prompted many ship owners to reroute their vessels. Instead of traversing the Red Sea and Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, ships are now taking the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.
These maritime security concerns have not gone unaddressed. The attacks have elicited retaliatory strikes from the United States and Britain on Houthi-controlled territories. However, the persistent threat continues to disrupt global trade patterns.
Greece, known for having one of the largest merchant fleets in the world, has seen its vessels become targets in this ongoing maritime conflict. The attack on the Sounion highlights the vulnerability of commercial shipping in the region, despite the presence of international naval forces and the efforts of maritime security firms like Ambrey, which also reported an incident in the same area.
As the situation develops, the international community faces the challenge of ensuring safe passage for commercial vessels through this crucial waterway while addressing the broader geopolitical issues that fuel these attacks.