On November 3, a Cayman Islands-flagged chemical tanker, the MV Stolt Sagaland, was targeted in a pirate attack approximately 330 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. The assailants, four individuals aboard a small craft, attempted to board the tanker but were met with resistance from armed security personnel onboard, who successfully repelled the assault. According to an industry bulletin from Combined Maritime Forces and EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, the attackers fired several rounds from AK-47s before retreating.
The operator of the vessel, Stolt-Nielsen, confirmed that the crew responded swiftly and professionally, ensuring their safety during the incident. Following the confrontation, the attackers departed back to a nearby mothership, which was identified as being around five nautical miles from the tanker. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that all crew members were unharmed and that the MV Stolt Sagaland continued its journey to the next port.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA classified this incident as piracy and indicated that a previously hijacked Iranian dhow, reportedly named ISSAMOHAMADI, was likely used as the mother ship for the operation. Maritime authorities have advised vessels to maintain a cautious distance of 100 nautical miles from the attack site, stressing the importance of reporting suspicious activities to facilitate prompt responses. This incident reflects a concerning resurgence of piracy in the region, with multiple incidents documented, including recent hijackings of merchant vessels and fishing boats. Authorities continue to investigate and monitor the situation closely.
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