EU Maritime Forces Rescue Crew After Somali Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker
EU naval forces have safely freed 24 sailors from a Maltese-flagged petroleum vessel that was targeted by sea robbers off the shoreline of Somalia.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting fuel from India to South African destinations, was seized on the recent incident when heavily armed attackers began shooting with automatic weapons and explosive projectiles before taking control of the ship.
The crew locked themselves inside a secure safe room while the attackers took control of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A naval vessel, functioning under the European Union's maritime security operation, arrived at the ship on the following day. Special forces boarded the vessel and found all 24 crew members unharmed.
"The crew is safe and no harm have been reported. During the ordeal, they stayed in the secure area in direct contact with command center," authorities stated, noting that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the pirates to abandon the ship before the naval unit reached the location.
Ongoing Threat
Authorities emphasized that the danger level in the region "continues to be serious" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity.
The rescue operation involved a aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicle and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the same area was approached by a small speedboat but successfully avoided it.
Resurgence of Piracy
This event represents the most recent in a series of attacks that have raised alarms about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region.
Piracy operations had declined when global maritime security and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, assaults by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the Arabian Sea, which have been conducted for the recent period, have caused ships to be rerouted through the African coastline - opening up new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Incident Data
- Seven reported incidents of piracy occurred off the coast of the Somali region in the previous year
- Three hijackings were recorded among these incidents
- A single case of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the developments as shipping companies travel through these increasingly dangerous shipping lanes.
