After several years of relative calm, piracy off the coast of Somalia has sharply resurged, with a series of coordinated attacks in the Somali Basin and western Indian Ocean since late October 2025. This escalation, culminating in the dramatic hijacking of theHELLAS APHRODITE on 6 November, has reignited concerns across the maritime industry and insurance sector. This article synthesises the latest intelligence from governmental and maritime security sources, providing context, analysis, and practical guidance for shipowners, operators, and P&I club members.
The recent spike: facts and timeline
According to Dryad Global and corroborated by UKMTO, MSCHOA, and multiple maritime news outlets, the resurgence began in late October with the mobilisation of Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) using hijacked dhows as motherships. These motherships have enabled pirates to project force far offshore – routinely 300 to 600 nautical miles from the Somali coast, with some incidents reported up to 800 nm.
Key incidents include:
6 November 2025
HELLAS APHRODITE (Malta-flagged, IMO 9722766) was boarded 560 nm southeast of Eyl. Pirates in a skiff, supported by a mothership, fired machine guns and RPGs before boarding. The 24 crew retreated to the citadel; EU NAVFOR Atalanta assets responded. The vessel, reportedly without armed security, was sailed towards the Somali coast.
Update on the fate of the vessel and crew:
As of 7 November 2025, all 24 crew members of the HELLAS APHRODITEare confirmed safe and sheltering in the vessel’s citadel, following BMP5 protocols. There have been no reports of injuries. The vessel, which was not carrying an armed security team, is reportedly under pirate control and being sailed towards the Somali coast. EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta assets, including the frigate ESPS Victoria, are actively responding and monitoring the situation. The ship’s manager, Latsco Marine Management, has confirmed ongoing contact with the crew and is coordinating with authorities to ensure their safety. The situation remains dynamic, with no confirmed rescue or release as of the latest updates from UKMTO, and EUNAVFOR.
3 November 2025
STOLT SAGALAND (Cayman Islands-flagged, IMO 9352200) was attacked 332 nm ESE of Mogadishu by four armed pirates in a skiff, supported by a mothership. The attack was repelled by evasive manoeuvres and return fire from the embarked security team.
2 November 2025
MV SPAR APUS (Norway-flagged, IMO 9734989) was approached by an AIS-disabled vessel 446 nm SE of Mogadishu. Evasive action deterred the approach.
28 October 2025
Somali authorities intercepted two erratic dhows south of Eyl, indicative of PAG mobilisation.
These incidents follow a pattern of pirates hijacking dhows for use as motherships, enabling long-range attacks with automatic weapons and RPGs.
Drivers and context
The resurgence is attributed to several converging factors:
Risk assessment and industry guidance
The latest threat assessments from Risk Intelligence and MSCHOA confirm that the piracy threat in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden is now elevated and unchanged, with pirates retaining the capability to board vessels up to 800 nm offshore. Most attacks remain opportunistic, but the use of motherships and automatic weapons marks a significant escalation.
Best Management Practices (BMP5) remain the industry standard for mitigating piracy risk.
Dryad Global, UKMTO, and EUNAVFOR Atalanta recommend:
Broader security environment
The piracy threat is compounded by ongoing smuggling, arms trafficking, and the presence of irregular armed groups in the region. Merchant vessels may encounter small craft that are not necessarily pirates – fishermen, traders, or militia – but the risk of misidentification remains high.
Naval patrols, including EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta and the Indian Navy, continue to provide a deterrent, but the sheer scale of the area and the evolving tactics of pirate groups present ongoing challenges.
P&I perspective: Deterrence, safety, and risk management
For assureds, shipowners and operators, the resurgence of Somali piracy underscores the need for robust risk management and proactive loss prevention. Key recommendations include:
The return of Somali piracy is a stark reminder that maritime security threats are dynamic and require constant vigilance. While the industry has the tools and experience to manage these risks, complacency is not an option.
Annex:
Guidance and resources for Somali piracy risk management
In light of the recent resurgence in Somali piracy, assureds are strongly advised to consult and comply with the following official guidance and reporting protocols. These measures are essential for ensuring vessel safety, regulatory compliance, and maintaining insurance cover.
Assureds, shipowners and operators are reminded that adherence to these protocols is a matter of safety to the crew, vessel and the cargo. For further advice or support, please contact Skuld’s Loss Prevention team.
Source: Skuld
