Large oil tanker burns, drifts after attack in Red Sea

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A Greek-owned oil tanker has caught fire and drifted in the Red Sea after what appears to be the most successful attack on shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen in more than two months.

The oil tanker Sunion, which was carrying crude oil from the southern Iraqi port of Basra to an undisclosed destination, was attacked about 77 nautical miles west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the Houthi rebel group.

The strikes occurred early Wednesday. Reported Greek company Delta Tankers confirmed that the vessel it operates, the Sunion, was attacked. The Suezmax, which can carry about 1 million barrels of oil, is the largest type capable of using the Suez Canal when loaded with cargo.

The UK Arms Control Office also reported another attack – at 11.45am local time – on a vessel 57 nautical miles south of Aden. All three missiles fired at that vessel, which the office did not identify, landed harmlessly in nearby waters.

The Houthis have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November, prompting many ship owners to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, bypassing the Suez Canal. The canal is a vital link from ports in Asia and the Middle East to Europe.

The last time the group seriously damaged a ship was in mid-June. The Houthis have said they are acting in support of Palestinians in Gaza since Israel responded to a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 last year and have been attacking ships linked to Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The UK Maritime Safety Authority said a security team on board the Sunion engaged in an exchange of small arms fire with armed men in two small boats just before 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Two hours later, the ship was hit by two projectiles and came under further attack just before 9 a.m. local time.

The UK Maritime Transport Authority said: “A fire has broken out on board the vessel, its engine has lost power and the vessel is drifting and is out of control.”

Martin Kelly, senior Middle East analyst at maritime consultancy EOS Risk Group, said the apparent attack pattern reflected how strikes by British and US forces on the Houthis had degraded many of their capabilities, particularly by attacking radar installations. This had forced them to use manned surveillance craft, such as those reported by the UK’s MTO.

However, he said Yemeni militants were still keen to avenge the July 20 Israeli airstrike on Hodeidah. “The Houthis are still there,” Kelly said.

Hundreds of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since last November have killed four sailors, sunk two ships and caused several serious fires on vessels.

Wednesday’s incident was the first successful attack on a commercial vessel off Yemen since the Houthis attacked the Tutor, a bulk carrier, on June 12, killing one sailor and causing the ship to sink.

The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility for Wednesday’s attack, although it occurred in waters where they frequently operate.

Delta Tankers said the ship was involved in a “hostile incident” in the Red Sea but described the damage as “minor.”

“The ship is currently drifting at sea while the crew is assessing the damage before the ship continues its journey,” the company said in a statement.