On September 10, Operation ATALANTA was alerted to the hijacking of the Glamor, a merchant vessel flagged by St. Vincent and the Grenadines, located about 38 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf, Yemen. Reports indicated that the Pirate Action Group (PAG) involved consisted of six individuals. Prior to the pirates’ boarding attempt, the crew successfully halted the vessel and shut down its systems, subsequently retreating to the ship’s citadel for safety.
In response to the situation, ATALANTA redirected nearby assets to the Glamor’s location. Additionally, in coordination with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a Japanese reconnaissance aircraft conducted flyovers to demonstrate a show of force. The visible presence of international maritime forces ultimately led the pirates to abandon their attempt to seize the vessel.
The ATALANTA Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO) issued security alerts with vital information and guidance for vessels in the area, advising them to adopt protective measures in line with Best Management Practices (BMP) for maritime security. Later that day, the vessel’s Company Security Officer confirmed that the situation had been resolved, with all crew members reported safe.
This incident marks the seventh piracy case reported since April 2026, during which over 100 seafarers have been held captive. The latest events underscore the persistent piracy and maritime security threats facing commercial shipping in the waters around Yemen and the broader Western Indian Ocean region. In light of recent incidents, the MSCIO has issued multiple warnings, urging crews to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities.
