Piracy near the coast of Somalia is resuming with new attacks

• In Somalia, the first seizure of a commercial vessel in 18 months has been recorded.
• The tanker Hellas Aphrodite was successfully captured during the attack.
• The increase in piracy is linked to instability in the region.

In the region off the coast of Somalia, reports of piracy attacks have been confirmed. The pirates captured the tanker under the flag of Malta, Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting gasoline from Southern Africa to India, marking the first recorded seizure of a commercial vessel in the last 18 months. The attack occurred on Thursday, November 7, 2025, when the pirates opened fire with automatic weapons and grenades.

The entire crew of 24 individuals is being held in captivity on the ship, which allowed them to avoid casualties. European naval forces, operating under the framework of Operation Atalanta, arrived as reinforcements on November 8, 2025, and after a special operation, all members of the crew were found unharmed.

This incident has raised concerns about a new wave of piracy attacks in the region, as in recent years, there has been a trend towards a decrease in such attacks. However, experts believe that changes in conditions, including a restructuring of military forces and a weakened government in Mogadishu, may contribute to a resurgence of pirate activity.

It is worth noting that piracy off the coast of Somalia has become a serious threat to the global economy, as pirates can operate up to 1,000 km from the coast, using mother ships to launch smaller boats. Historically, piracy in this region peaked in 2011, when 243 incidents of vessel seizure were recorded.

Recent attacks, including attempts to capture other vessels, are associated with the instability created by the Houthi fighters in the Red Sea, which has led to a disruption of shipping routes through the Indian Ocean. In 2024, seven incidents of piracy were recorded, while in 2025, the number of attempts to capture fishing vessels has already begun to rise.

Tags: Crime