Greece is dispatching a salvage vessel to the Red Sea to support maritime safety and global shipping routes following a recent wave of Houthi attacks that sank two Greek-operated cargo ships earlier this month, the country’s shipping minister announced on Thursday.
The deployment follows renewed strikes by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militants, who have targeted shipping in the Red Sea in what they describe as a show of solidarity with Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Greek Crews Caught in Crossfire
Two Liberia-flagged cargo vessels, the Magic Seas and the Eternity C, were attacked and sunk off the coast of Yemen. While all crew members from Magic Seas were rescued by a passing vessel, the Eternity C suffered greater losses. Ten crew members were saved during a privately led mission, but five are feared dead, and another ten are believed to be held by the Houthis, according to maritime security sources.
Greek Response With Salvage Support
Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias said that the salvage ship Giant, provided by the Hellenic Association of Tugboat Owners, will be sent to the Red Sea to “support, protect and assist Greek-owned vessels and Greek seafarers.”
The deployment comes amid concerns about the limitations of Aspides, the European Union’s naval mission for Red Sea security, which reportedly had no assets in the area at the time of the attacks.
Ship Equipped for Rescue and Protection
According to Greece’s Shipping Ministry, Giant is manned by a 14-member specialist Greek crew and equipped with four engines producing 16,000 horsepower. It is capable of operating in severe weather, conducting search and rescue operations, preventing marine pollution, and carrying out firefighting duties. The vessel also provides accommodation for up to 40 individuals.
