An unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was successfully neutralized on Thursday by a unit of the European operation ASPIDES in the southern Red Sea region as it posed a threat to the Greek-flagged tanker SOUNION and its crew, to which it had been called to provide protection, at the request of the shipping company and its master.
The crew, who had abandoned the SOUNION, were successfully rescued, according to an update from EUNAVFOR ASPIDES.
“The safety of seafarers’ lives and the freedom of the international seas are non-negotiable and paramount principles for EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. As a defense operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is a trusted provider of EU maritime security, aiming to contribute to the protection of freedom of navigation of merchant ships in the area of operations,” it stated.
It is also noted that yesterday the Greek-flagged tanker “received an unjustified attack in the Southern Red Sea area and was immobilized.”
SOURCE: ANA-MPA
