A product tanker flying the Maltese flag was boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia, according to a Reuters report on Thursday.
The vessel’s manager confirmed that the 24 crew members are reported to be safe.
Recent attacks by armed assailants on vessels have heightened concerns regarding shipping lanes in this region, which is vital for transporting crucial energy and goods to global markets.
Pirates board the Hellas Aphrodite tanker
Latsco Marine Management, the Greek manager of the gasoline-carrying vessel Hellas Aphrodite, reported a “security incident” on Thursday morning, according to the report.
The incident occurred while the ship was travelling from India to South Africa.
An asset belonging to the European Union’s naval force was reported to be near the scene of the piracy alert and was moving closer, prepared to take necessary steps for an effective response.
A maritime security firm, Ambrey, previously reported that the tanker had been fired upon by pirates in a skiff.
Maritime security sources further indicated that the pirates also used a rocket-propelled grenade against the vessel.
An official from the maritime security company Diaplous confirmed that the crew members are currently sheltering in the ship’s reinforced safe room, known as the “citadel.”
They have requested assistance from the European Union’s naval forces operating in that region.
Latsco Marine Management said in a statement:
All 24 crew are safe and accounted for and we remain in close contact with them.
The management activated its emergency response team and is coordinating with authorities to ensure the ongoing safety and welfare of the crew, the company said.
Similar incident
The recent boarding of a vessel by suspected pirates tragically echoes a similar, high-profile incident that occurred in May 2024.
In that earlier event, the Liberian-flagged vessel Basilisk was attacked approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, a region long troubled by maritime insecurity.
The Basilisk incident prompted a swift and decisive response from international naval assets patrolling the area. Forces from the European Union Naval Force were deployed to the scene.
Demonstrating exceptional coordination and skill, these naval forces successfully rescued the entire 17-member crew who had been held captive on the vessel.
The rescue operation itself was a high-risk manoeuvre, involving highly trained personnel fast-roping—a technique used to descend a thick rope from a helicopter—onto the deck of the Basilisk to neutralise the threat and secure the vessel.
This comparable incident highlights the persistent danger posed by piracy off the Horn of Africa, as well as the critical role played by international naval patrols in maintaining the safety and security of vital global shipping lanes.
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