Gulf of Aden (Running Africa) — Suspected Somali pirates have hijacked the MT Asana, a Tanzanian-flagged oil tanker, in the Gulf of Aden, marking the second commercial vessel seized in the region within three months and raising fresh concerns over the resurgence of piracy along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
The tanker was reportedly boarded by seven armed men while sailing to Bosaso in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The attack occurred approximately 65 nautical miles off the coast of Yemen, according to Puntland security officials.
Pirates Launched Attack from Garacad
Authorities said the suspected pirates launched the operation from waters near the Puntland port town of Garacad before intercepting and boarding the vessel.
Officials are continuing to monitor the situation as efforts to establish contact with the hijacked tanker and assess the safety of the crew remain underway.
Second Tanker Hijacking in Three Months
The seizure of the MT Asana follows the hijacking of the MT Eureka in May, signaling an apparent increase in pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
The latest incident is part of a broader series of reported attacks and attempted vessel seizures across the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, prompting renewed concern among regional authorities and the international shipping industry.
Piracy Resurgence Raises Alarm
The resurgence of Somali piracy has reignited fears over maritime security in a region that had seen a significant decline in attacks following years of coordinated international naval patrols.
Security analysts say the comparatively lighter naval presence in the Gulf of Aden, compared with heavily monitored sections of the Indian Ocean, may be creating opportunities for pirate groups to resume operations.
The latest hijacking underscores the continuing threat posed by piracy to international trade and commercial shipping, with authorities warning that sustained regional and international cooperation will be essential to safeguarding one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.
