Tanker adrift after multiple attacks in Red Sea, UK maritime agency says

A Greek-flagged oil tanker was adrift in the Red Sea on Wednesday after repeated attacks that started a fire on the vessel and caused the ship to lose power, the UK maritime agency said.

The Sounion was first attacked by two small boats and hit by multiple projectiles about 77 nautical miles (142 km) west of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday morning, the Greek shipping ministry and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

There was a brief exchange of small arms fire during the incident, the UKMTO said, adding in a later update that the ship had reported another attack. That caused the fire and led the vessel to lose engine power and its ability to manoeuvre.

There were no reports of injuries among the 25 crew members - two Russians and the rest Filipinos - and a maritime source told Reuters the vessel was expected to be able to sail “relying on its own means”.