On July 13, 2026, a tanker encountered six small boats while navigating approximately 50 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen, as reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The agency classified the situation as “suspicious activity,” noting that the tanker was moving east through the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor when the boats approached from the starboard side.
One of the small boats came alarmingly close, within five cables (about 0.5 nautical miles), prompting the tanker’s armed security team to fire warning shots. Meanwhile, the remaining five boats maintained a distance of approximately one nautical mile from the tanker.
In response to the incident, UKMTO is conducting an investigation. The agency has advised vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities they may encounter. This incident underscores the ongoing concerns regarding maritime security in the region, where threats to commercial shipping have been a persistent issue.
