The fire extinguishing operation on the tanker “MV Sounion”, carrying 150,000 tons of oil, off Eritrea is in progress.
According to exclusive information from “Naftemporiki”, three fires have been extinguished after each of the fuel tanks (Inert Gas System) has been deactivated. The inert gas containing insufficient oxygen (usually less than 8%) is used to suppress the combustion of flammable hydrocarbon gases.
Fire extinguishing is carried out by the rescue tug “Panormitis”.
It is estimated that the process of the entire rescue operation is expected to last at least 10 days, after which the holes caused by the explosions will have to be sealed.
The Greek-flagged tanker was first attacked by the Houthis on August 21, with its 25-member crew (23 Filipinos and two Russians) being transported, the next day, by a French destroyer to a safe place in Djibouti.
The Yemen-based Houthis are seeking to cut off critical shipping lanes through the Red Sea in an act of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
