The MV Delta Sounion, a Greek oil tanker carrying one million barrels of crude oil, was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The Houthis, an Iranian-backed group controlling parts of Yemen, have disrupted shipping lanes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The tanker, now disabled and without a crew, is a potential environmental disaster and a target for further attacks.
While the Houthis have agreed to a rescue mission, the ship's location in waters they control makes the operation risky.