The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) recently announced its rescue and towing services for the sanctioned Russian oil tanker MT Alyssum off the coast of Egypt. This tanker, flying the Russian flag, required assistance due to technical issues near Sallum.
Details of the MT Alyssum Tanker
The MT Alyssum tanker, with a capacity of 37,273 tons, was built in 2006 and has been under surveillance since the U.S. sanctions in January 2024. This tanker was added to the list due to repeated violations of the G7 price cap on Russian oil. Additionally, the UK sanctioned this tanker in September 2025, and its sanctions list includes other countries such as Canada and Ukraine.
The operations of this tanker have been overshadowed by name and flag changes in recent years. This tanker has only been operating under the Russian flag since March 2026, having previously flown the flag of Guinea and at times operated without a flag. Its name changes from Mona to Maile and now to Alyssum reflect frequent changes in ownership and management.
Rescue and Towing Operations
This tanker has been in an uncontrollable state near the shores of Egypt since late September or early October. The Suez Canal Authority announced that the tanker was transferred to the Port Said anchorage area for repairs and maintenance. The towing operation of this tanker was completed over a record distance of 180 nautical miles. This operation was carried out at the request of the Sphinx Transport Agency, and the rescue vessel Muhammad Bashir was dispatched to the location.
Admiral Essam Rabi, Chairman and CEO of the Suez Canal Authority, highlighted the organization's swift action in response to the request for assistance and stated that it possesses extensive capabilities in rescue and towing operations.
This event clearly demonstrates the capabilities of the Suez Canal Authority in providing rescue and towing services in the regional waters surrounding Egypt. Given the increasing demand for these services in various areas, the Suez Canal Authority is striving to remain a credible reference in this field.
