Maritime Security Incident Off Somali Coast
A tanker traveling from India to South Africa near the Somali coast was boarded by “unauthorised personnel,” maritime authorities reported on Thursday. The vessel was also attacked with rocket-propelled grenades during the seizure.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:48 hours local time (UTC+4) on November 6, 2025, while the Malta-flagged Hellas Aphrodite was transiting from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, carrying a cargo of gasoline. The vessel was approximately 550 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia.
The crew of the tanker locked themselves in a safe room, and all 24 crew members are reported to be safe and accounted for. Latsco Marine Management Inc., the managing company, has activated its emergency response team and is coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety and welfare of the crew.
Previous Incident Highlights Growing Concerns
Just days prior, the Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland was targeted in a suspected pirate assault. The tanker reported being approached by a small boat and fired upon while approximately 330 nautical miles southeast of Somalia’s Mogadishu. The crew of that tanker were uninjured, and the vessel was able to evade the attack.
The Master of the Stolt Sagaland reported that four unauthorised persons attempted to board his vessel. This incident follows a period of relative quiet in pirate activity off the Somali coast, which had been disrupted by piracy from 2008 to 2018.
Historical Context and Economic Impact
Piracy off the coast of Somalia hit its peak in 2011, with 237 attacks recorded. The Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group estimated the global economic cost of Somali piracy that year at around $7 billion, including approximately $160 million in ransoms. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.
The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing security concerns in the region and the importance of vigilance for vessels transiting these waters.
Original Article: Pirates board tanker off Somali coast — Bignewsnetwork