UPDATE: In a shocking development, armed attackers on Thursday morning have captured the tanker Hellas Aphrodite off the coast of Somalia. The vessel, which was transporting gasoline from Sikka, India to Durban, South Africa, is the first commercial ship seized by Somali pirates in over a year, igniting new fears over maritime safety.
The audacious attack involved gunfire from machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, according to reports from the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center and the private security firm Ambrey. The vessel’s crew of 24 members managed to lock themselves in the ship’s citadel during the assault, and thankfully, all are reported safe and accounted for.
Officials at Latsco Marine Management, the ship’s owner, confirmed, “We remain in close contact with them,” as they activated their emergency response team to coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure crew safety. The incident marks a troubling resurgence in piracy, which had diminished significantly due to international naval patrols and improved security measures.
“Today’s attack is part of an unprecedented series of events targeting merchant vessels since the hijacking of the MV Basilisk in May 2024,” warned France’s Maritime Information Cooperation and Awareness Centre. They highlighted that pirates in the region are becoming increasingly agile and determined, with the ability to strike beyond their traditional territories.
This attack follows another alarming incident involving the Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland, which was targeted in a suspected pirate attack that resulted in an exchange of gunfire between armed security forces and the attackers. The European Union’s Operation Atalanta, tasked with counter-piracy efforts in the Horn of Africa, has issued alerts about increased pirate activity in the area, warning that assaults are “almost certain” to occur.
The resurgence of Somali piracy is concerning, especially given its peak in 2011, when 237 attacks were recorded, costing the global economy an estimated $7 billion in damages and ransom payments. Experts believe that the recent increase in piracy incidents can be attributed to rising instability in the region, including threats posed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
With multiple fishing boats seized by Somali pirates this year alone, shipping companies are on high alert. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures and international cooperation to combat this growing threat.
As this situation develops, stakeholders in global shipping and maritime security are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities in the region. The impact of this piracy resurgence could ripple through international trade, affecting shipping routes and costs.
Stay tuned for further updates as authorities and security firms work to address this urgent maritime crisis.
