Tragedy has struck in the Gulf of Suez, where a drilling rig has sunk, resulting in the loss of four lives and six crew members still missing. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, when the drillship, Adam Marine 12, capsized in the Mount Oil area of the Red Sea, approximately 300 kilometers south of the Suez Canal. The Egyptian Petroleum Ministry reported the incident, citing the company operating the barge, and local news portal Al-Youm as-Sabia confirmed the casualty numbers.
The Adam Marine 12 was operating in a concession owned by offshore drilling service provider ADES, where it was drilling several wells. According to Reuters, the company had assigned the Offshore Shukheir Oil Company (OSOCO) to conduct drilling operations using the barge, which was being relocated to a new site at the time of the accident. The ministry has stated that it is closely monitoring developments and taking necessary steps in coordination with specialized authorities and its affiliates in the region.
The Suez Canal, a vital waterway connecting Europe and Asia, has been a volatile region since late 2023, when the Yemen-based Houthis began targeting tankers and other merchant vessels. This has complicated maritime traffic in the area, making it a challenging environment for shipping operations. The canal is a critical link for international shipping, with approximately 10-12% of worldwide crude exports and 14-15% of oil product exports, including gasoline and diesel, transiting through the Red Sea, according to data from Kpler.
The incident highlights the risks and challenges associated with offshore drilling operations, particularly in sensitive and volatile regions. The Egyptian authorities will likely conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the cause and prevent similar accidents in the future. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community will be watching closely, given the strategic importance of the Suez Canal and the potential impact on global shipping and trade.
