EU Naval Forces Free Sailors After Somalia Piracy Incident on Oil Tanker
EU maritime units have safely freed two dozen crew members from a Malta-registered oil tanker that was targeted by pirates off the coast of Somali waters.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying petrol from Indian ports to South Africa, was seized on the recent incident when heavily armed attackers began shooting with machine guns and explosive projectiles before boarding the ship.
The crew locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the attackers assumed command of the marine transport.
Mission Accomplished
A Spanish warship, operating under the EU's anti-piracy mission, reached the ship on Friday afternoon. Special forces boarded the vessel and found all 24 crew members unharmed.
"The crew is secure and no harm have been documented. During the ordeal, they remained in the citadel in constant communication with the operation," officials stated, noting that a "demonstration of power" had convinced the attackers to leave the vessel before the warship reached the location.
Continuing Danger
Authorities added that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are continue to be in the vicinity.
The mission utilized a helicopter, drone and reconnaissance plane. Just hours earlier, another ship in the identical region was targeted by a fast boat but managed to evade it.
Return of Maritime Crime
This event marks the latest in a spate of attacks that have raised alarms about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region.
Such activity had declined when international naval patrols and protective protocols were introduced after peaking more than a decade ago.
Nevertheless, attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Arabian Sea, which have been carried out for the recent period, have led ships to be diverted through the African coastline - creating new possibilities for Somali gangs.
Statistical Overview
- Seven reported incidents of piracy occurred off the shoreline of Somalia last year
- Several vessel takeovers were recorded among these events
- Only one incident of maritime crime was reported in the preceding year
Industry professionals continue to monitor the developments as shipping companies navigate these increasingly dangerous waters.
