The Suez Canal Transits Heavily Damaged Tanker Sounion

The tanker Sounion, which made headlines in August 2024 after being attacked by the Houthis off Yemen, successfully transited the Suez Canal today in a carefully planned operation. The vessel, owned by Greece’s Delta Tankers, was heavily damaged and disabled after the attacks, requiring a complex towing operation to bring it through the canal on its way to Greece.

After a month-long offloading operation in December 2024, managed by Ambrey and Mega Tugs, the 150,000 tons of crude aboard the tanker were safely removed. The Houthis had set off multiple explosions on board, causing oil fires and destroying the bridge and engine room after the crew abandoned the vessel.

The Suez Canal Authority oversaw the offloading process once the tanker was towed to a port south of the canal. The Authority’s pollution control vessel, Kasht 2, monitored the operation to prevent any environmental damage.

Bridge and control systems were destroyed by the Houthis (SCA)

Lieutenant General Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, stated that meticulous planning was required for the transit of the 274-meter tanker, which had no steering control. The towing operation was led by the Aigaion Pelagos anchor handler from Megatugs, with support from the Suez Canal Authority’s tugboats.

The transit, which began on March 8, took approximately 24 hours and involved multiple stages, including pauses in Great Bitter Lake for crew changes. A total of 13 pilots were utilized to guide the Sounion through the canal, with tugboat Suez 2 acting as a rudder to assist with steering.

As of March 10, the towing operation had reached the northern terminus of the canal, with the Aigaion Pelagos awaiting further instructions. The Suez Canal Authority confirmed that the tow is en route to Greece.