Egyptian Oil Drillship Capsizes in Gulf of Suez, 4 Dead, 4 Missing
An Egyptian drillship capsized in the Gulf of Suez, resulting in four deaths and four missing crew members, with rescue efforts ongoing. The incident, under investigation, has not affected Suez Canal operations, highlighting safety concerns in Egypt’s offshore oil sector.
A catastrophic incident unfolded Yesterday, July 1, when an Egyptian drillship, Adam Marine 12, capsized off Ras Gharib in the Gulf of Suez, approximately 300 kilometers south of the Suez Canal. The vessel, owned by Offshore Shukheir Oil Company (Osoco) and operated by Saudi-based ADES Holding Company, was being towed to a new oil exploration site near Gebel El-Zeit when it sank. Of the 30 crew members onboard, four were confirmed dead, 22 were rescued and received medical treatment, and four remain missing. Egyptian Navy vessels conducted overnight search and rescue operations, but the missing crew members have yet to be located.
Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi reported that rescue teams successfully evacuated 22 survivors to a hospital for care. The Egyptian Petroleum Ministry stated that the cause of the capsizing remains unclear, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances. Local media suggested the incident occurred during the towing process, possibly due to rough seas or technical failures, though no official cause has been confirmed. The Suez Canal Authority assured that the accident did not disrupt maritime traffic, with 33 ships scheduled to transit the canal on July 2 as planned.
The Gulf of Suez is a critical region for Egypt’s oil and gas industry, contributing significantly to the country’s economy, with Gebel El-Zeit being a key exploration area. This tragedy echoes past maritime incidents in the region, such as the 2021 Ever Given grounding in the Suez Canal, which disrupted global trade. The ongoing investigation will likely focus on towing procedures, vessel stability, and crew safety protocols to prevent future accidents in this vital energy hub.