A POWERFUL salvage tug stationed in Djibouti since July, partly as a response to Houthi assaults on shipping over the past two years, has embarked on its first salvage operation since arrival in the region.

Giant (IMO: 9255907), which has a bollard pull of 181 tonnes, went to the assistance of a Croatian bulk carrier immobilised in the Gulf of Aden.

Requesting urgent salvage assistance earlier in the week, the 41,300 dwt Trogir (IMO: 9222572) reported ingress of water from the stern, partly flooding the engine room and resulting in a complete blackout and loss of propulsion.

According to the salvage company, its tug successfully connected to the bulker, which is under Croatian flag, and commenced rescue towing operations, safely removing the vessel from the high-risk area.

Trogir is said to be laden with an iron ore cargo.

All 22 crew members on board are said to safe and in good health. As yet there have been no reports of any pollution being caused.

On Friday, Giant and Trogir reached Djibouti roads where a salvage team from Athens has gone on board the casualty.

Attacks by the Houthis highlighted a shortage of professionally operated salvage assets in the region and it is thought Giant is the sole properly equipped salvage tug stationed in the area.

The company acquired the 2003-built tug, formerly named Atlantic Osprey, in May and extensively outfitted and upgraded it in Greece.

Megatugs and the crew of another of its tugs, Aigaion Pelagos (IMO: 9477012), have received several awards in recent weeks for last year’s rescue of the burning Greek-owned suezmax tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145) and its cargo of 150,000 tonnes of crude oil.

The operation averted a potential environmental catastrophe after a Houthi attack left the tanker immobilised and ablaze.