A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Gulf of Aden was saved from a pirate attack by an armed security team onboard, highlighting ongoing piracy threats.
Piracy Alert in the Gulf of Aden: Armed Security Team of the Tanker Prevents Attack with Intervention
A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker sailing in the Gulf of Aden, south of Yemen, thwarted a potential boarding attempt by pirates thanks to the intervention of an armed security team onboard.
According to maritime security consultancy Ambrey, the incident occurred on July 13 at 10:19 UTC. It was reported that there were a total of six small vessels in the area, with only one attempting to approach the tanker for an attack.
The report indicated that the pirate vessel came within approximately 0.5 nautical miles of the tanker. After entering range, the pirates opened fire, to which the armed security team on the ship responded with warning shots. Following this, the approaching vessel retreated, while the other five small boats remained about a nautical mile away and did not participate in the attack.
Pirate Activities Continue in the Region
This incident marks the first reported piracy attempt in the region within the past week, indicating that piracy activities, which have seen a resurgence in recent months in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia, are ongoing.
On July 5, pirates had approached a cargo ship sailing approximately 300 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni city of Hudaydah. In this incident, the pirate vessel came as close as 20 meters to the cargo ship, gunfire was exchanged between the parties, and the pirates subsequently returned to their mother ship, which was waiting about two nautical miles away.
Security Measures Prevent Attacks
Experts note that there has been a partial slowdown in the number of piracy incidents following the increase observed in mid-June. Recently, some pirate vessels have been reported to have retreated after attempting to approach ships, while others directed their efforts towards different vessels.
In contrast, due to enhanced security measures on commercial ships and the deployment of armed private security teams, many boarding attempts have been deemed unsuccessful since May.
At the beginning of July, the Indian Navy provided support to a cargo ship that was attacked by pirates. It was reported that the pirates abandoned the ship after failing to reach the secure area (citadel) where the crew had taken refuge.
Hostages Still Held Off the Coast of Somalia
Meanwhile, the European Union Naval Force's (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta continues to monitor three vessels under the control of pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced last week that a total of 44 seafarers aboard the vessels MT Honour 25, Eureka, and Sward, which were hijacked in separate attacks off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in April and May, are believed to be held hostage by pirates and armed groups in Somali territorial waters.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
