European Union Maritime Forces Free Crew After Somalia Pirate Attack on Vessel

EU maritime units have successfully rescued two dozen crew members from a Maltese-flagged petroleum vessel that was targeted by pirates off the shoreline of Somalia.

The Hellas Aphrodite, which was transporting fuel from India to South Africa, was seized on Thursday when heavily armed attackers opened fire with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades before boarding the ship.

All sailors locked themselves inside a fortified citadel while the pirates assumed command of the marine transport.

Successful Rescue Operation

A naval vessel, functioning under the EU's anti-piracy mission, arrived at the tanker on Friday afternoon. Elite military units boarded the craft and found all two dozen sailors safe and sound.

"All personnel is safe and no injuries have been documented. Throughout the ordeal, they remained in the citadel in constant communication with the operation," authorities announced, adding that a "demonstration of power" had prompted the pirates to abandon the vessel before the naval unit arrived.

Ongoing Threat

Officials emphasized that the threat risk in the area "remains critical" as the pirates are still in the vicinity.

The mission involved a helicopter, drone and surveillance aircraft. Shortly before, a different vessel in the identical region was targeted by a fast boat but successfully avoided it.

Return of Maritime Crime

This incident represents the latest in a spate of attacks that have created concern about a resurgence of maritime crime in the region.

Such activity had decreased when international naval patrols and protective protocols were implemented after reaching their highest point more than a ten years past.

Nevertheless, attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea, which have been conducted for the past two years, have caused ships to be rerouted through the African coastline - opening up new opportunities for Somali gangs.

Incident Data

• Multiple piracy cases of maritime crime occurred off the shoreline of Somalia in the previous year
• Three hijackings were documented among these incidents
• A single case of piracy was reported in 2023

Industry professionals are closely watching the developments as shipping companies travel through these potentially hazardous shipping lanes.