Chemical tanker boarded off Yemen coast in suspected Somali pirate hijack

A chemical tanker was boarded by armed personnel off the coast of Yemen on Friday, with maritime security sources suspecting Somali pirates are behind the hijacking. The vessel, identified as the Tanzania-flagged Asana, was seized while transiting the Gulf of Aden south of al-Mukalla province Source: AP News.

The incident

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) reported that the tanker was boarded by “unauthorized personnel” about 65 nautical miles south of Mukalla Source: Al Jazeera. The vessel was heading westbound but later changed course southeast towards Somalia, according to tracking data. A South Korean naval vessel and a Yemeni coastguard boat have been dispatched to assist Source: Al Jazeera. The ship has no armed security team on board Source: AP News.

Context of rising piracy

The attack is the latest in a resurgence of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden, which had been largely dormant since 2013. The French navy’s Mica Center has recorded 18 piracy incidents since April, with at least three vessels still held for ransom Source: Al Jazeera. The EU recently signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Djibouti to strengthen naval patrols in the region Source: AP News.

What's next

Authorities are coordinating with international partners to track the vessel and ensure crew safety. The incident underscores ongoing maritime security challenges in the region, compounded by the presence of Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have separately threatened Red Sea shipping Source: SCMP.