Bulk carrier pursued by armed boats off Yemen’s coast
Merchant Vessel Escapes Armed Pursuit in Gulf of Aden
Mogadishu (HOL) — A merchant vessel faced a harrowing chase by armed boats in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, raising alarms about maritime security in the region. The incident unfolded around 1700 UTC on April 15, approximately 100 nautical miles east of Aden, Yemen, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Fortunately, the crew remained unharmed, and the vessel continued its journey after altering course to evade the attackers.
Details of the Incident
The bulk carrier was pursued for nearly two hours by multiple small boats carrying armed individuals. During the chase, shots were reportedly fired, but no injuries or damages were recorded. The ship’s master made a strategic decision to change course toward the Yemeni coastline, prompting the small boats to eventually disengage. Following this encounter, the vessel resumed its route and is on its way to its next port of call, according to the UKMTO’s incident report.
Security experts from Neptune P2P Group have noted that while the incident resembles a piracy attempt, certain aspects—such as the number of boats involved and the distance from Somali shores—are unusual for recent Somali pirate operations. They suggest that the armed boats could potentially belong to Yemen’s coast guard or local fishermen, who often arm themselves for self-defense in the region.
Context and Ongoing Threats
This incident is part of a troubling trend of piracy-related activities in 2025, underscoring the ongoing maritime threats in the Gulf of Aden. The situation is further complicated by the recent actions of the Houthi rebel group, which has threatened to resume attacks on vessels linked to Israel after a ceasefire that had been in place since January. However, the group has not commented on the Tuesday encounter.
The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau recently highlighted the persistent threat posed by Somali pirates in its quarterly piracy report. In response to the resurgence of piracy and regional instability, the European Union has extended its counter-piracy naval mission, Operation Atalanta, through February 2027, following a decision made by the European Council in December 2024.
In light of these developments, UKMTO is urging all commercial vessels operating in the Gulf of Aden to exercise heightened vigilance. They recommend establishing contact with regional monitoring centers and reporting any suspicious activities as investigations into the incident continue.
