A Maltese-flagged tanker, Hellas Aphrodite, was attacked and boarded approximately 550 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia, according to maritime security company Vanguard. The incident occurred at 11:48 AM local time on November 6 while the tanker was transporting gasoline from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa. Fortunately, all 24 crew members onboard are reported to be safe and accounted for, as confirmed by the ship’s management, Latsco Marine Management.
The attack involved the vessel being approached by a small craft, which opened fire with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) before boarding the tanker. Vanguard has indicated that the Iran-flagged fishing vessel 314055ISSAMOHAHMDI was likely used as a mothership in this assault, as well as in three other recent incidents.
This assault marks the second instance of pirate activity off the Somali coast in the past week. On November 3, four pirates attempted to board the chemical tanker Stolt Sagaland but failed to succeed. Warning reports from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA have drawn attention to the increase in pirate action group (PAG) activities in the region.
Recent hijackings of dhows by Somali nationals indicate a potential escalation of piracy threats, with these vessels used as motherships to extend the range of skiff-based attacks up to hundreds of nautical miles from the shore. The high point of Somali piracy occurred from 2008 to 2011, characterized by numerous attacks and successful hijackings that often resulted in crew members being held for ransom in dire conditions.
These recent incidents serve to remind the international maritime community of the persistent dangers posed by piracy in the region and highlight the need for continued vigilance and security measures to safeguard maritime operations. The resilience and safety of the crew onboard the Hellas Aphrodite reflect positive outcomes amid a troubling context, emphasizing the importance of enhanced maritime security efforts in countering such threats.