A Maltese-flagged tanker, the Hellas Aphrodite, was targeted and boarded approximately 550 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia on November 6, at 11:48 AM local time, as reported by maritime security firm Vanguard. The vessel was en route, transporting gasoline from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa. Fortunately, all 24 crew members aboard are safe and accounted for, as confirmed by Latsco Marine Management, the ship’s management.
The attack involved a small craft that approached the tanker and opened fire with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) before boarding. Vanguard indicated that the Iran-flagged fishing vessel 314055ISSAMOHAHMDI likely served as a mothership for this operation, as well as in three other recent piracy incidents.
This incident is the second case of piracy off the Somali coast within just a week. Previously, on November 3, an unsuccessful attempt was made by four pirates to board the chemical tanker Stolt Sagaland. Warning reports from the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA have highlighted a rise in activities by pirate action groups (PAGs) in the region.
Additionally, recent hijackings of dhows by Somali nationals reflect a growing threat of piracy. These hijacked vessels have been used as motherships, enabling skiff-based attacks to occur hundreds of nautical miles further from the shore. The peak of Somali piracy occurred between 2008 and 2011, during which numerous attacks and successful hijackings led to crew members being held under dire conditions for ransom.
These recent events underscore the ongoing threats faced by the international maritime community due to piracy in the region and emphasize the necessity for sustained vigilance and enhanced security measures to protect maritime activities. The safe outcome for the crew of the Hellas Aphrodite serves as a reminder of resilience in the face of such dangers, advocating for continued efforts to strengthen maritime security to combat these threats effectively.