European Union Maritime Forces Free Crew Following Somali Pirate Attack on Oil Tanker
EU maritime units have successfully rescued 24 sailors from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when armed pirates began shooting with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades before taking control of the ship.
The crew secured themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers assumed command of the ship.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, operating under the European Union's maritime security operation, arrived at the ship on the following day. Elite military units boarded the craft and discovered all two dozen sailors unharmed.
"All personnel is secure and no injuries have been reported. Throughout the ordeal, they stayed in the citadel in direct contact with the operation," officials announced, adding that a "show of force" had prompted the attackers to abandon the ship before the naval unit arrived.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities emphasized that the threat risk in the area "continues to be serious" as the armed groups are continue to be in the area.
The mission utilized a aircraft, drone and reconnaissance plane. Shortly before, another ship in the same area was targeted by a small speedboat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This incident represents the latest in a spate of attacks that have created concern about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region.
Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and protective protocols were introduced after reaching their highest point more than a decade ago.
However, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Arabian Sea, which have been carried out for the past two years, have caused vessels to be diverted through East Africa's Indian Ocean - opening up new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Multiple piracy cases of piracy took place off the coast of the Somali region in the previous year
- Several vessel takeovers were documented among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals are closely watching the situation as vessel operators navigate these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
