Armed Pirates Board Malta-Flagged Tanker in Indian Ocean
In a shocking incident, armed pirates have boarded the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite in the Indian Ocean. The attack occurred early today, approximately 549 nautical miles east-southeast of Hobyo, Somalia, marking a significant escalation in piracy activities that had previously been on the decline. The vessel was en route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, when it came under fire from a skiff launched from a suspected Iranian mothership.
Details of the Attack
According to maritime security experts from Vanguard Tech and Ambrey, the attack on the Hellas Aphrodite involved pirates firing upon the tanker before boarding. The incident took place at 06:44 UTC, as the vessel altered its course and speed while situated approximately 546 nautical miles offshore from Somalia. Notably, the tanker did not have an armed security team on board, which may have contributed to its vulnerability during the assault. Following the attack, another nearby tanker chose to divert away from the area, highlighting the immediate threat posed by the pirates.
The mothership involved in this incident, identified as the Issamohahmdi, was reportedly hijacked in recent weeks and has been linked to three previous piracy incidents off the Somali coast. Its last known location was about 560 nautical miles offshore, raising concerns about the operational capabilities of the pirate group. This attack comes just three days after another incident involving the Cayman Islands-flagged chemical tanker Stolt Sagaland, which was targeted by armed men but managed to repel the attackers thanks to its onboard security team.
Rising Threat of Somali Piracy
The European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Atalanta operation has responded to this alarming trend by raising the regional threat level. They have issued warnings that a pirate action group (PAG), likely operating from the hijacked Iranian dhow, remains active in the central Indian Ocean. Private security firms are advising merchant vessels to exercise heightened vigilance and adhere strictly to BMP5 protection measures. They caution that there is a “realistic possibility of further suspicious approaches” in the coming days.
The boarding of the Hellas Aphrodite signifies a troubling resurgence of Somali piracy, with attacks now occurring far from the coast in areas that had been relatively safe for the past five years. As maritime security continues to be a pressing concern, the international community is urged to take proactive measures to safeguard shipping routes in the region.
