Archive · 12 Nov 2025
EU Naval Force Seizes Pirate Dhow Off Somalia
Pirates near Somalia used a fishing boat, called a dhow, to get onto a bigger ship carrying gasoline.
The European Union's navy, with help from the Indian navy, caught the fishing boat after the pirates left it.
The navy made sure the original people on the fishing boat were safe.
They say they have stopped the pirates in that area for now.
This happened because there have been a few pirate attacks lately, making people worried about ships carrying important things.
EU naval forces, with Indian Navy support, seized an Iranian dhow used by pirates off Somalia.
The dhow was used by pirates to attack and board the Maltese-flagged tanker 'Hellas Aphrodite' last week.
Pirates abandoned the dhow on the northwestern coast of Somalia, where it was monitored and secured.
The crew of the dhow were found safe and unharmed.
Naval forces state the pirate group operating in the area has been disrupted, following a recent spate of attacks.
- Who
- European Union naval force (Operation Atalanta) and Indian Navy warship
- What
- Took control of an Iranian dhow used by pirates to attack a tanker, and disrupted pirate operations.
- When
- Tuesday (EU statement), attack occurred last week.
- Where
- Off the coast of Somalia, dhow abandoned on northwestern coast of Somalia.
- Why
- To disrupt pirate activity and enhance security of shipping lanes.
Pirate Activity
Naval Counter-Piracy Efforts
Impact on Shipping
Pirate Activity
Recent pirate attacks have raised concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes.
Naval Counter-Piracy Efforts
Naval patrols have disrupted pirate operations, enhancing the security of shipping lanes.
Use of Dhow
Pirate Activity
Pirates used an Iranian dhow as a vessel to attack and board a tanker.
Naval Counter-Piracy Efforts
The EU naval force took control of the dhow after it was abandoned by pirates.
- Vessel Used by Pirates
- Iranian-flagged dhow (fishing vessel)
- Targeted Tanker
- Maltese-flagged Hellas Aphrodite (carrying gasoline)
- Location of Dhow
- Northwestern coast of Somalia
- Operator of Naval Mission
- EU naval force (Operation Atalanta)
- Naval Support
- Indian Navy warship
