Hijacked Oil Tanker Heads to Somalia in Yemen Waters

Yemen’s Coast Guard Reports Hijacking of Oil Tanker Off Somali Coast

A Yemeni oil tanker, the M/T Eureka, has been hijacked off the coast of Shabwa province and is now en route to Somalia. The vessel was seized by armed assailants who boarded the ship on Saturday. According to the Yemeni Coast Guard, the hijackers are currently steering the tanker towards the Gulf of Aden.

This incident marks at least the fourth reported pirate attack in the region in recent weeks. Pirates have become more active in the area, with Somali coast being one of the most affected regions. The rise in piracy is attributed to the current naval presence in the Red Sea and the diversion of civilian maritime routes.

The Yemeni Coast Guard has confirmed that it is working with international partners and relevant authorities to recover the tanker and ensure the safety of its crew. However, the coast guard has cautioned that its capabilities are limited due to Yemen’s economic situation.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has raised the piracy threat level along the Somali coast to “substantial” and warned vessels to exercise caution when transiting the area. The European Union’s naval forces patrolling the region have also noted that the current situation has provided pirates with an opportunity to operate.

In recent years, Somalia’s coastline was one of the most affected regions by piracy, with over 200 attacks recorded in 2011 alone. However, incidents began to rise again in 2023, following a shift in anti-piracy patrols towards the Red Sea.

Source: Al Jazeera