EUNAVFOR Operation Aspides released an update on the burning oil tanker Sounio The organization denied rumors of oil leaks on social media but reiterated its warning of an “imminent environmental threat.” There are no reports of measures being taken to potentially avert the potential disaster, while authorities warned of further sightings of unmanned and manned small boats in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

After the Houthis released images of explosions and fires on the tanker late Friday, Aspides released an update on the situation on Sunday, August 25. They said no fires were visible when the French frigate conducted the SOLAS operation on Friday. Today they say there are “fires in at least 5 locations” on board the tanker. Sounio.

Deck fires around the oil tank hatches (Aspide)

Aspides believes that most fires break out “around the hatches of the ship’s oil tanks.” Sounion is carrying around 150,000 tons of crude oil that was loaded in Iraq. Aspides said parts of the superstructure are also on fire. The images show the destroyed bridge and the area behind the bridge on fire, apparently an attempt to disable the tanker or a possible salvage operation.

“So far, there are no signs of an oil spill,” reports Aspides, after images published online over the weekend suggested that the ship could already be leaking. However, Aspides warns, “the large amount of crude oil on board” (up to four times that of the Exxon Valdez) “could lead to a serious ecological disaster.”

The Houthis have not commented on the potential environmental concerns, claiming only that the ship was attacked because of the company’s ties to Israel. However, due to prevailing currents, the oil could likely destroy Yemen’s fishing grounds and environment.

Fires destroyed the bridge area of ​​the tanker (Aspides)

Aspides contradicted reports from UK Maritime Trade Operations that the Sounio Aspides believes the ship is still anchored in international waters. Initial reports before Friday’s bombing that sparked the fires said Delta Tankers was preparing to salvage the ship. Although authorities stressed the environmental risks, none of the agencies indicated that a salvage attempt was currently planned.

However, UKMTO warned of two further sightings of small boats today. An unidentified vessel about 61 miles south-east of Muka, Yemen in the Red Sea reported seeing an unmanned vessel one nautical mile away travelling at 8 knots. They said there were two other small boats about two nautical miles north of the unmanned vessel. No approach was reported.

On Monday, UKMTO also received a report of a small boat approaching another merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden. This incident occurred approximately 55 nautical miles south-east of Aden. The small boat, approximately four metres long, had eight to ten people on board and “displayed a ladder but no weapons”. Security forces on board the vessel “confronted the suspicious boat” and, according to UKMTO, the small boat left the scene.

The US Central Command has not issued any updates since last week on unconfirmed reports that US assets have been deployed near Iran to deter possible actions against Israel.