Somali Pirates Hijack Greek Tanker in Major Resurgence

Pirates Attack Greek Tanker Off Somali Coast

In a dramatic resurgence of Somali piracy, armed attackers have boarded the Greek-owned tanker Hellas Aphrodite off the coast of Somalia, firing machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades during the assault. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 6, 2025, approximately 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia in the Indian Ocean.

The Malta-flagged vessel was en route from Sikka, India to Durban, South Africa carrying gasoline when it was approached by a small craft carrying the attackers. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the pirates fired small arms and RPGs before successfully boarding the tanker.

Crew Takes Shelter in Citadel

All 24 crew members aboard the Hellas Aphrodite safely locked themselves in the ship's fortified citadel - a secure room designed specifically for such emergencies. 'The crew followed established safety protocols and are currently safe within the citadel,' confirmed a spokesperson for Latsco Marine Management, the Greek company managing the vessel.

The security firm Ambrey reported that the pirates were likely operating from a previously stolen Iranian fishing vessel. Notably, the tanker did not have an armed security team on board during the attack.

Resurgence of Somali Piracy

This incident marks the first successful commercial ship hijacking by Somali pirates in over a year and signals a concerning uptick in piracy activity in the region. 'We are witnessing a clear resurgence of Somali piracy that requires immediate international attention,' stated Rear Admiral Francisco Javier Vázquez Sanz, commander of the European Union's Operation Atalanta counter-piracy mission.

The attack follows another recent incident involving the Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland, where shots were exchanged between vessels. According to maritime security experts, Somali piracy has surged since late 2023, with seven reported incidents in 2024 alone.

Regional Security Concerns

The resurgence of piracy comes amid increased regional insecurity, partly attributed to Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea corridor related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. 'The diversion of naval resources to counter Houthi activities has created a security vacuum that pirates are exploiting,' explained maritime security analyst John Smith from Diaplous Group.

Somali piracy previously peaked in 2011 with 237 reported attacks costing the global economy approximately $7 billion. The threat declined significantly following international intervention, including enhanced maritime patrols and improved governance in Somalia.

However, the current situation indicates that pirate networks remain active and capable. The European Union's Operation Atalanta has warned that pirate attacks in the region are 'almost certain' to continue occurring without enhanced security measures.

As international authorities monitor the situation, shipping companies are being advised to exercise extreme caution when transiting through the Horn of Africa region and to implement robust security protocols for their vessels and crews.