Greek crude tanker loses control after Red Sea attack; second ship targeted

A Greek tanker laden with Iraqi crude was drifting off Yemen on fire after being struck by four missiles Aug. 21, while a second ship was targeted South of Aden, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, in the most destructive attacks on Red Sea shipping this summer.

The Sounion -- a Suezmax operated by Greek shipping company Delta Tankers -- was attacked west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, Aug. 21, the UKMTO told S&P Global Commodity Insights.

At 2:57 UTC, two small craft approached the Sounion and exchanged fire with the ship, before three missiles were fired at 5:00 UTC. The ship sustained a fourth attack at 5:49 and lost power, according to the UKMTO.

"The vessel is drifting and not under command," it reported, adding that a fire had broken out on the vessel after the fourth attack.

In a separate incident Aug. 21, a ship was attacked 57 nautical miles South of Aden but avoided damage and was proceeding to its next port of call. Three explosions were reported near the unnamed vessel over the course of two separate attacks, the UKMTO reported.

No casualties have yet been reported in either incident. The British agency advised ships to transit the passage with caution.

Basrah Heavy cargo

Damage to the Sounion marks the most severe attack on Red Sea shipping in recent weeks. Delta Blue, another Delta tanker, emerged unscathed after four attacks this month, while bulk carrier Tutor was the last vessel to sink after a drone attack June 12.

The Sounion was laden with 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude from Iraq, which it had loaded Aug. 12, CAS data showed. The Greek shipping ministry separately confirmed the ship was on a voyage to Agioi Theodoroi, where Motor Oil has a 200,000 b/d refinery.

The ministry said 25 crew members onboard the tanker were "in good health," but the ship remained at the location of the incident after suffering damage, it wrote in a statement.

After the attack on the Sounion, Ambrey, a security consultancy, reported Aug. 21 that a vessel it assessed to be "aligned with the Houthi target profile" had been attacked while sailing northbound without transmitting an automatic identification system signal, but it didn't name the ship.

Delta Tankers did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The incident comes as shipping operators continue to avoid the Red Sea in large numbers due to the risk of attacks from Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have maintained pressure on merchant vessels transiting the route.

UKMTO records and media reports suggested eight ships have been attacked by the Iran-backed militants this month, including three operated by Delta Tankers. None of the ships had been reported to be seriously damaged.

Red Sea disruptions

Major energy and shipping companies, including BP, Maersk, QatarEnergy and Frontline, have altered their routes to sail around Africa to avoid Houthi attacks.

The latest IMF PortWatch data showed the average daily ship transits via the Bab al-Mandab Strait stood at 23 in the week ended Aug. 11, down from the year-ago level of 70.

The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on July 31 has heightened the perceived threat to vessels in the shipping corridor, while the markets now remain attentive for signs of progress in ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel.

While the Red Sea diversions have led to additional ton-mile demand and supported freight rates, market participants said recent tanker trades have been lackluster amid seasonal demand weakness.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed the Suezmax dirty tanker rate to transport 140,000 mt of crude from the Persian Gulf to UK-Continent at $21.10/t Aug. 21, down 38 cents on the day.