Archive · 7 Nov 2025
LNG Tanker Evades Pirates Off Somalia Amidst Escalating Attacks
Pirates attacked a big oil tanker called the Hellas Aphrodite off the coast of Somalia.
The pirates got onto the ship, but the sailors were safe in a special strong room.
A warship from Europe came to help and made sure the crew was okay.
The pirates had already left by then.
On the same day, another large ship carrying special gas, the Al Thumama, was approached by a small boat with pirates.
But this gas ship was faster and got away!
This is worrying because it seems like pirates are trying to cause trouble again after being quiet for a while.
Some people think this might be happening because ships are avoiding other dangerous sea routes and sailing closer to Somalia.
European navies are watching closely to keep ships safe.
An EU warship secured the crew of the Malta-flagged products tanker Hellas Aphrodite after it was boarded by pirates off Somalia.
The crew of the Hellas Aphrodite were safe in a citadel during the pirate attack on Thursday.
In a separate incident on Friday, the LNG tanker Al Thumama successfully outran a pirate speedboat.
These incidents raise concerns about a potential resurgence of Somali piracy after years of relative inactivity.
Maritime security sources suggest increased shipping traffic along East Africa's coast, possibly due to diversions from the Red Sea, may be creating opportunities for pirate activity.
- Who
- Pirates, crew of products tanker Hellas Aphrodite, crew of LNG tanker Al Thumama, EU naval mission Atalanta
- What
- Pirates boarded the Hellas Aphrodite; the Al Thumama outran a pirate skiff. An EU warship secured the crew of the Hellas Aphrodite.
- When
- Thursday (Hellas Aphrodite boarding), Friday (Al Thumama approach and EU warship securing tanker crew)
- Where
- Off the coast of Somalia
- Why
- Concerns about a resurgence of Somali piracy, possibly exacerbated by shipping traffic diversions from other troubled maritime routes like the Red Sea.
Concerns over Resurgent Piracy
Past Successes in Combating Piracy
Current Threat Level
Concerns over Resurgent Piracy
Recent attacks, including the boarding of the Hellas Aphrodite and the approach to the Al Thumama, indicate a potential resurgence of Somali pirate activity and renewed concerns for shipping lanes.
Past Successes in Combating Piracy
Somali pirate gangs have been relatively inactive in recent years due to a coordinated crackdown by Western naval forces and military action targeting their onshore bases.
Impact of Other Conflicts
Concerns over Resurgent Piracy
The diversion of maritime traffic south along East Africa's coast, potentially due to threats in the Red Sea from groups like the Houthis, creates new opportunities for Somali gangs.
Past Successes in Combating Piracy
While other conflicts exist, many shipping companies remain wary of resuming Red Sea voyages, suggesting that global security concerns, rather than just enabling Somali pirates, are diverting traffic.
- Date of Hellas Aphrodite boarding
- Thursday
- Date of Al Thumama approach
- Friday
- Products Tanker Boarded
- Hellas Aphrodite (Malta-flagged)
- LNG Tanker Approached
- Al Thumama (Marshall Islands-flagged)
- Crew Safety
- Crew of Hellas Aphrodite safe in citadel; no injuries reported.
- Response
- EU naval mission Atalanta deployed a frigate.
- Al Thumama Voyage
- Ras Laffan, Qatar to Swinoujscie, Poland via Cape of Good Hope