Off the coast of Somalia, pirates have seized a tanker flying the Maltese flag - the first such incident in 2025. According to sources in maritime security services, the crew of the vessel locked themselves in a fortified area on board, Reuters reports.
The incident occurred on November 6. The tanker Hellas Aphrodite, owned by the Greek company Latsco Marine Management, was transporting gasoline from India to South Africa when it was seized by armed men. The ship's manager confirmed that all 24 crew members are alive and have taken refuge in the so-called 'citadel' - a secure compartment on board.
The company has requested assistance from the European Union naval forces operating in the area. The EU has already stated that one of their ships is nearby and ready to intervene for an effective response to the situation.
According to the private security firm Ambrey, the pirates attacked the tanker from a boat, opening fire and launching rocket projectiles. After that, the crew barricaded themselves inside the vessel.
'All 24 sailors are alive, we are in contact with them and monitoring the situation,' Latsco Marine Management reported, adding that an emergency response team has been established.
This is the first successful attack by Somali pirates in nearly a year. The last similar incident occurred in May 2024, when attackers seized the vessel Basilisk flying the Liberian flag. The sailors were freed by EU naval forces at that time.
In recent weeks, there has been a resurgence of pirate activity in the region. On November 3, an armed group attempted to attack another commercial tanker but was unable to board. Additionally, pirates seized an Iranian fishing vessel to use it as a floating base for new attacks.
After several quiet years, Somali pirates are once again making their presence known. Ten years ago, they posed a serious threat to international shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the western part of the Indian Ocean.
Against this backdrop, experts also point to the ongoing danger posed by Yemeni Houthis, who previously attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea in support of the Palestinians. Although the rebels announced a temporary halt to attacks on vessels associated with the U.S., shipping companies remain cautious about routes through these waters.
Leave a comment