EU Forces Free Hijacked Tanker 700 Miles Off Somalia
European naval forces liberated the Maltese-flagged tanker HELLAS APHRODITE Friday afternoon following a dramatic 30-hour hijacking approximately 700 nautical miles off the coast of Mogadishu, marking the latest successful rescue in a region experiencing a sharp resurgence of Somali piracy.
The rescue operation involved a coordination of international assets under Operation ATALANTA‘s command. The Spanish flagship ESPS VICTORIA deployed its helicopter, an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, and a Special Operations Team to execute the rescue.
Pirates Still at Large
Despite the successful rescue, significant threats remain in the region. “The mother ship and the pirates remain in the area,” EUNAVFOR warned, noting that “a coordinated joint operation is ongoing to intercept the dhow used in this attack.” Maritime authorities maintain that “the threat assessment in the area surrounding the incident remains critical,” urging vessels to exercise extreme caution when transiting the region.
Pattern of Escalating Attacks
The HELLAS APHRODITE hijacking represents the culmination of an eight-day spree by the same pirate group, which previously attempted attacks on the Stolt Aphrodite on November 3 and the fishing vessel Intertuna Tres on November 2, according to Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group. On November 3, the chemical tanker MV Stolt Sagaland successfully repelled a similar attack approximately 330 nautical miles east of Mogadishu when armed security personnel fired warning shots at four unauthorized persons attempting to board.
Broader Piracy Resurgence
These incidents reflect a troubling pattern that began in November 2023 with a series of dhow hijackings, coinciding with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region. Pirates typically use hijacked dhows as “mother ships” to launch attacks hundreds of miles offshore in the Indian Ocean. Operation ATALANTA documented dozens of incidents in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden in 2024, including four merchant vessel boardings and two attempted hijackings.
Original Article: EU Forces Free Hijacked Tanker 700 Miles Off Somalia — Gcaptain