Naval forces have contained a pirate group operating off Somalia following several security incidents in the Indian Ocean, including last week’s hijacking of the tanker Hellas Aphrodite.
After several days of pursuit, a pirate-occupied dhow linked to recent attacks was intercepted by the Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta. The EU’s Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean said the group “is being monitored closely” and “there is currently no threat to merchant vessels.”
The pirate action group (PAG) had been active for more than a week, targeting ships hundreds of miles off the Somali coast. According to maritime consultancy Vanguard Tech, the pirates are still holding the dhow’s crew of fishermen and have refused to surrender, though they are no longer considered a threat to commercial shipping.
The group was responsible for the November 6 boarding of the Malta-flagged product tanker Hellas Aphrodite, owned by Latsco Shipping. The tanker was en route from India to Durban when armed men in a skiff opened fire and boarded about 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia. The crew of 24 took refuge in the citadel while the pirates searched the vessel.
Spanish frigate ESPS Victoria, operating under EUNAVFOR Atalanta, responded the following day. The pirates abandoned the tanker after a show of force from the warship and fled the scene. All crew were later confirmed safe.
The same group is suspected of attempting to approach the LNG carrier Al Thumama on November 7, but the Qatari-owned vessel managed to evade capture. Other ships—including the fishing vessel Intertuna Tres, bulker Spar Apus and product tanker Stolt Sagaland—are also believed to have been approached by the PAG earlier in the month.
Ambrey reported on Sunday that the hijacked dhow Issamohhamadi 2 was under Indian Navy escort towards Somali territorial waters and heading for Dhinowda. The firm assessed that the risk to merchant shipping remains low given the naval presence, although ships are advised to keep clear of the area.
In a separate incident in West Africa, the Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship UAL Africa was boarded late Saturday about 75 nautical miles west of Bata, Equatorial Guinea, while sailing from Houston to Malabo. The crew sheltered in the citadel during the attack. The vessel has since been declared safe with all crew accounted for and has resumed its voyage.
