Investigation Reveals Greek Oil Tanker “Sounion” Used Deceptive Tactics to Conceal Its Destination Before Being Targeted in the Red Sea

NYN | Reports and analyses

An investigation by the platform “ECAD,” which specializes in open-source intelligence, has revealed that the Greek oil tanker “Sounion” (SOUNION) masked its true destination before being targeted by Sana’a Government forces in the Red Sea.

According to the investigation, ECAD tracked the vessel’s route using the Marine Traffic navigation software. The ship initially departed from Basra, Iraq, heading towards Singapore. However, after passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it altered its course towards the Red Sea instead of proceeding to its declared destination.

Further analysis on the Vessel Finder navigation site showed that the ship indicated Durban port in South Africa as its destination. However, it did not head towards this port but instead turned towards the Red Sea, which raises suspicions that it was attempting to obscure its true destination.

In this context, ECAD explained that this confusion in signaling serves as evidence that the ship deliberately engaged in deception to hide and avoid revealing its true destination.

While the Greek government indicated that the “Sounion” was heading to the port of Corinth in Greece, the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth,” citing the British Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), reported that the vessel was en route to Israel’s Eilat port. However, ECAD could not confirm this after reviewing the UKMTO’s records.

The investigation confirmed that the “Sounion” is owned by the Greek company “Delta Tankers,” which operates a fleet of about 29 vessels, according to the global database Equasis, which provides detailed information on ships and the shipping industry.

ECAD stated that it used Marine Traffic to review the movement archive of all the company’s ships since the announcement by Sana’a Government forces on May 3 of the beginning of the fourth phase of escalation against Israel, which included targeting all ships heading to the occupied Palestinian ports, up until the present.

After analyzing the routes of 29 ships, ECAD found that one of the company’s ships, specifically “DELTA STAR,” had arrived in Israel on July 10, and had hidden its signal upon entering the ports there, only showing it again after departure.

ECAD’s investigation concluded that the oil tanker “Sounion” attempted to disguise and conceal its true destination to ensure its safe passage through the Red Sea. The investigation explained that the attack carried out by Sana’a Government forces on the ship was due to its association with “Delta Tankers,” which does business with Israel, making it a potential target for attacks by Sana’a forces.

ECAD concluded its investigation by stating, “Thus, the attack on SOUNION was due to its affiliation with Delta Tankers, and it is unclear whether it was heading to Israel or Greece due to the lack of evidence and the ship’s concealment of its true destination.”

**Clash Between Sana’a Navy and European Frigate**

In a related development, a source in the Yemeni Navy affiliated with the Sana’a Government disclosed a direct confrontation between two Yemeni naval warboats and a European frigate in the Red Sea during the attack on the “Sounion.”

The source, in a statement to the Houthi-affiliated “Al-Masirah” channel, explained that the European frigate attempted to intercept the first attack boat, prompting a second boat to engage it. When the frigate’s crew realized the attack was turning towards them, they fled, leaving the “Sounion” to face its fate.

The Sana’a Navy reiterated its warning to ships against tampering with identification systems, which could make them targets, emphasizing that all targeted ships have their information available to the Yemeni Navy, whether they disable or enable identification systems. All other ships are safe and can navigate within Yemeni operation zones.

The Yemeni Navy under Sana’a forces also confirmed its continued development of military capabilities in support of Gaza, the Palestinian people, and defense of Yemen against what it described as the American-British aggression.

On Thursday, August 22, Sana’a Government forces announced the execution of two military operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden using warboats, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The first operation targeted the oil tanker “SOUNION,” hitting it accurately while it was sailing in the Red Sea, putting it at risk of sinking. The second operation targeted the vessel “Sw North Wind I” while it was sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The targeting of the two ships was reportedly due to their owners’ violation of the ban on sailing to the occupied Palestinian ports, which will remain in effect until the Israeli aggression and blockade on Gaza cease.

On the evening of Friday, August 23, Sana’a military media released footage of the Greek oil tanker “SOUNION” being set on fire in the Red Sea.

The footage showed moments of large, simultaneous explosions on the “Sounion,” leading to a massive fire onboard.

The accompanying statement in the video read: “Based on the decision of the Yemeni armed forces to ban entry to the occupied Palestinian ports and in response to the leader’s directives – for escalation, our forces targeted the Greek ship (SOUNION) after its owner company violated the ban and entered one of the occupied Palestinian ports.”

Sana’a forces warned global companies against violating the ban imposed by them, threatening to target any ships that breach this decision.

They also confirmed that “the next phase will be more severe and painful for the ships of violating companies, along with those associated with the Israeli, American, and British enemies, as long as the Zionist enemy continues its aggression and blockade on the Palestinian people.”

The statement added: “All ships passing through the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Indian Ocean are advised not to tamper with data or conceal their identities to avoid suspicion.”

Sana’a forces concluded their statement by thanking the companies that complied with the ban and moved their ships away from the occupied Palestinian ports, affirming that those companies’ ships can “safely pass through the Yemeni armed forces’ operation zones.”

مشاهد لإحراق القوات البحرية اليمنية السفينة اليونانية SOUNION في البحر الأحمر والتي قامت الشركة المالكة لها بانتهاك قرار حظر الدخول إلى موانئ فسلطين المحتلة pic.twitter.com/7h34dJiz2U

— الإعلام الحربي اليمني (@MMY1444) August 23, 2024