European Union naval forces successfully rescued 24 sailors from the Maltese-flagged oil tanker, Hellas Aphrodite, after pirates attacked the vessel off the coast of Somalia. The vessel, transporting petrol from India to South Africa, came under fire on Thursday when armed pirates launched an assault using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
Consequently, the crew locked themselves inside a fortified citadel, effectively securing their safety while the pirates took control of the ship. This strategic move allowed them to remain in direct contact with the EU’s Operation Atalanta, which coordinates anti-piracy efforts in the region.
Swift Naval Response
However, the Spanish warship ESPS Victoria, part of the EU’s anti-piracy mission, reached the tanker on Friday afternoon, with Special forces boarding the vessel and confirming that all 24 crew members were safe. The EU mission reported, “The crew is safe, and no injuries have been reported.” They also noted that a “show of force” from the naval forces prompted the pirates to abandon the ship before the warship’s arrival.
Despite this successful rescue, the EU warned that the threat level in the area remains critical. Pirates are still active, and the risk of further attacks persists. The rescue operation involved extensive resources, including a helicopter, drone, and surveillance aircraft. Just hours before the rescue, another ship in the vicinity faced a similar threat but managed to evade the pirates.
Resurgence of Piracy Concerns
This incident highlights the latest in a concerning spate of attacks that have naturally created widespread concern about a possible resurgence of piracy in this vital shipping region. International naval patrols and improved security measures had significantly reduced this criminal activity after the peak occurred more than a decade ago.
However, continuous attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Red Sea shipping lanes over the past two years have forced commercial vessels to divert through East Africa’s Indian Ocean. Consequently, this prolonged diversion now creates significant and unexpected opportunities for dangerous Somali criminal gangs.
According to the International Maritime Bureau, seven reported piracy incidents, which included three actual hijackings, took place off the coast of Somalia last year. This concerning data shows a dramatic increase, since the Bureau reported only one solitary incident of piracy throughout the entire year of 2023.
