Three weeks ago, the oil tanker MV Sounion—carrying around 1 million barrels of crude oil—was immobilized and set on fire after being attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Although the ship remains intact for now, its condition is deteriorating. If it sinks, it could trigger an oil spill nearly four times worse than the Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989, resulting in devastating environmental and economic consequences for a region already ravaged by war. Millions of people’s livelihoods, clean drinking water, and fragile ecosystems would be at severe risk. Salvage operations are being planned, but conducting such high-stakes efforts in an active conflict zone is risky and success is far from assured.
“This is a disaster waiting to happen, and not everyone fully grasps the magnitude of the challenge or the catastrophic consequences if it’s not addressed,” said Ian Ralby, CEO of maritime security firm Consilium, in an interview with Vox. “We’re looking at a generational problem that could far surpass most previous oil spills in terms of impact.”
Attack on the Sounion
The Greek-flagged Sounion, which was transporting crude oil from Iraq to Greece, was first targeted on August 21 by Yemeni Houthi rebels. Using small arms, projectiles, and an unmanned surface vessel, the Houthis claimed the attack was justified due to the tanker’s owner, Delta Tankers, having alleged ties to Israel. The rebels have escalated attacks on ships in the Red Sea following the start of Israel’s conflict in Gaza, hitting two other Delta Tankers’ vessels in August.
While the Sounion’s crew—23 Filipinos, two Russians, and four private security guards—were safely rescued by a French destroyer, the tanker was left immobile, anchored between the shores of Eritrea and Yemen. An initial salvage attempt was abandoned after the salvaging team was “warned away” by the Houthis. The situation worsened on August 29 when the Houthis placed explosives on the deck, further damaging the ship.
Despite the Houthis later signaling they would allow a salvage operation to avoid environmental catastrophe, the situation remains precarious. Tugboats escorted by European naval ships were dispatched, but on September 3, the operation was called off, with salvage companies citing unsafe conditions.
“We’re doing everything possible to move the vessel and its cargo,” said Delta Tankers in a statement. However, international trust in the Houthis remains shaky, complicating the rescue efforts. Although the ship is double-hulled, which reduces the risk of an immediate spill, fires onboard mean that time is running out.
Facing a Potential Environmental Catastrophe
If the Sounion’s cargo is spilled, the environmental consequences could be among the worst in history. Greenpeace’s Middle East North Africa program director, Julien Jreissati, warned of the unique vulnerabilities of the Red Sea. As a mostly enclosed body of water, it lacks the circulation of an open ocean, making the oil much more likely to stick around and cause long-lasting damage.
“You can’t truly clean up an oil spill,” Jreissati said. “You can try to contain and mitigate it, but the impact and remnants will last for decades.” The risk is compounded by the fact that the operation to contain the spill would take place in a war zone, further complicating an already difficult situation.
The Red Sea is home to some of the world’s most resilient coral species, which could help protect corals worldwide from climate change. The region also relies heavily on its fisheries, a critical economic lifeline for countries on both sides of the sea, including Yemen. Before Yemen’s civil war began in 2015, fish was the country’s second-largest export after oil and gas.
Moreover, a spill could severely disrupt Red Sea shipping, which has already been reduced by nearly two-thirds due to ongoing Houthi attacks. This would further increase global shipping costs and disrupt supply chains.
The timing of a spill could have far-reaching effects. Currently, the Red Sea’s surface currents are flowing south toward the Indian Ocean. However, by October, they will reverse, flowing north toward Saudi Arabia and Egypt. A spill could contaminate the region’s desalination plants, which millions of people depend on for fresh water.
A Recurring Threat
The potential spill from the Sounion is eerily similar to a disaster narrowly avoided just months ago. The FSO Safer, an old oil tanker off the coast of Yemen, was also at risk of sinking or exploding, carrying over 1 million barrels of oil. After years of negotiations, the UN managed to transfer the oil from the Safer in August 2023. But unlike the Safer, the international community has far less time to act in this case.
“This is a ticking time bomb,” said Jreissati. The Sounion crisis highlights the risks posed by escalating conflicts in the Middle East. In addition to the Sounion, the Houthis have attacked two other oil tankers, though they weren’t disabled. Earlier in the year, another vessel, the Rubymar, sank after a Houthi attack, leaving an 18-mile oil slick. Experts are now concerned about the 22,000 tons of fertilizer still in its hold, which could trigger massive algae blooms, devastating local marine life.
The risk of environmental disasters in the Red Sea will only grow as conflicts persist. Experts warn that the world must take urgent action to prevent future catastrophes that could have irreversible consequences for the environment and global economy.
The Path Forward
Efforts to salvage the Sounion are still underway, with private companies and military forces exploring alternative solutions. But trust between the international community and the Houthis is fragile, and the situation remains highly volatile. Even if the tanker’s oil doesn’t spill, it serves as a grim reminder of the environmental dangers posed by ongoing warfare in critical global regions.
Time is of the essence, and the stakes couldn’t be higher—not just for the Red Sea region but for the world.