Archive · 6 Nov 2025
Pirates Attack Tanker Off Somalia, Crew Safe in Citadel
Bad guys with guns attacked a big oil ship on Thursday near Somalia.
The ship was carrying fuel from India to South Africa.
The attackers shot their guns and threw a grenade, but all the people on the ship were safe because they hid in a special safe room called a citadel.
This is worrying because it seems like pirates are attacking ships in this area more often again.
There was another suspected pirate attack earlier in the week.
In the past, pirates in this region used to attack ships a lot, but it got better for a while.
Now, it seems they are back, maybe because of problems in another sea nearby.
In 2024, there have been a few pirate incidents off Somalia, and some fishing boats have been taken.
A Malta-flagged products tanker, the Hellas Aphodite, was boarded by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Thursday.
Attackers reportedly used machine guns and fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the vessel.
The tanker's 24 crew members are safe and have taken shelter in the ship's fortified safe room, known as a citadel.
This incident is part of a suspected resurgence in Somali piracy, with another vessel, the Stolt Sagaland, targeted earlier in the week.
Maritime security firms and the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre issued alerts regarding the attacks.
- Who
- Pirates and the crew of the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphodite
- What
- Pirates boarded a Malta-flagged tanker, firing machine guns and a rocket-propelled grenade. The crew took shelter in the ship's citadel and are safe. Another vessel, the Stolt Sagaland, was targeted in a suspected pirate attack.
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- Off the coast of Somalia
- Why
- This incident is part of a suspected resurgence in Somali piracy, possibly linked to insecurity caused by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Pirates
Maritime Security Firms/UKMTO/EU Force
Nature of Attack
Pirates
Boarded a Malta-flagged tanker, firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
Maritime Security Firms/UKMTO/EU Force
The attacked tanker had a crew of 24 mariners who locked themselves into the ship's citadel for safety. The vessel did not have an armed security team aboard. Another vessel, the Stolt Sagaland, was targeted in a suspected pirate attack that involved shooting.
Resurgence of Piracy
Pirates
Attacked a ship and seized an Iranian fishing boat to use as a base of operations. Multiple fishing boats have been seized by Somali pirates in 2024.
Maritime Security Firms/UKMTO/EU Force
This attack is likely the latest by resurgent Somali pirates. Somali pirate attacks have resumed at a greater pace over the last year, possibly due to insecurity caused by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
- Vessel Name
- Hellas Aphodite
- Vessel Type
- Malta-flagged products tanker
- Voyage
- En route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa
- Incident Date
- Thursday
- Crew Status
- 24 crew members safe and accounted for, sheltered in citadel
- Assailants' Actions
- Opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade
- Security on Board
- No armed security team aboard the attacked vessel
- Assistance/Alerts
- UK Maritime Trade Operations issued an alert. EU force noted a previous suspected pirate attack on the Stolt Sagaland.
Sources
EU sends warship to Somali coast after suspected pirate attack – sources
Pirates board Malta-flagged tanker off Somalia, fire machine guns and grenades
Pirates board Malta-flagged products tanker off Somalia, crew safe, manager says
Pirates board tanker off Somalia in biggest escalation since 2024
