- Crew Freed Safely Following Coordinated Operation.
- Pirates Remain Active as Joint Search Continues.
- Escalating Attacks Signal Renewed Somali Piracy Threat.
European naval forces pulled off a remarkable rescue on Friday, freeing a Maltese-flagged tanker that had been hijacked for a tense 30 hours about 700 nautical miles from Mogadishu. This incident highlights a troubling rise in piracy off the coast of Somalia, reports gCaptain.
Crew Rescued Safely
All 24 crew members emerged unscathed after they took refuge in the ship’s citadel during the pirate attack on November 6. The operation, part of Operation ATALANTA, was a well-coordinated effort that saw the Spanish flagship deploying helicopters, UAVs, maritime patrol aircraft, and special forces.
“After an early show of force, the Pirate Action Group abandoned the Merchant Tanker,” stated EUNAVFOR.
Global Coordination in the Rescue
The mission was a true team effort, involving collaboration with international partners like Puntland authorities, Combined Maritime Forces, and maritime patrol aircraft from Japan and Seychelles. The Spanish Joint Operations Command also played a crucial role in supporting the operation.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations, “Coalition forces are now onboard vessel and crew have left the citadel, reported as safe and well.”
Pirates Still at Large
Despite the rescue, threats persist in nearby waters. “The mother ship and the pirates remain in the area,” EUNAVFOR warned, adding that “a coordinated joint operation is ongoing to intercept the dhow used in this attack.”
Authorities described the situation as “critical,” urging vessels to maintain vigilance while transiting the region. Evidence is being collected for future prosecution if the suspects are captured.
Escalating Piracy Pattern
This hijacking was the climax of an eight-day wave of attacks by the same group of pirates, who had also targeted two other vessels earlier that week. Maritime experts believe the group was likely operating from a hijacked dhow, which served as their “mother vessel.”
EUNAVFOR assessed it is “HIGHLY LIKELY that [a] Iranian Hijacked Dhow reported on 28/10/25 was used as the mother vessel” for multiple assaults. Separately, another tanker reported being approached by a speedboat in the same area, but managed to escape safely, according to maritime security sources.
Signs of a Broader Resurgence
These events signal a broader resurgence of Somali piracy, which has been on the rise since late 2023. Pirates are increasingly using hijacked dhows to launch long-range attacks across the Indian Ocean. Operation ATALANTA has recorded numerous incidents in recent months, including several hijackings and attempted boardings. In past cases, vessels were either rescued or released after ransom payments, highlighting the escalating dangers in the region.
Security Advisory for Mariners
Operation ATALANTA is advising vessels to sign up for the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean’s Voluntary Registration Scheme to ensure a quicker response during emergencies.
Maritime authorities reiterated their warning to avoid a 100-nautical-mile radius around recent attack sites, emphasising that “the timely and comprehensive reporting of incidents and suspicious activity remains crucial to allow for a rapid incident response.”
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Source: gCaptain
