On May 22, a tanker in the Gulf of Aden reported that its security team had to fire warning shots at a suspicious approaching vessel. This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by Somali pirate groups in the region. The tanker, whose identity remains undisclosed, was approximately 98 nautical miles from Socotra Island when it detected a small craft with five individuals approaching. The warning shots successfully caused the small boat to alter its course.
This was the third suspicious approach reported in just a week, according to the EU’s Maritime Security Center for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO). On May 18, a skiff near Bosaso, Somalia, was flagged to the EU’s Operation Atalanta, believed to be linked to piracy activities. Earlier, on May 15, a high-speed boat with armed individuals resembling AK-47s had stopped a fishing vessel, raising further concerns.
Currently, three vessels remain under the control of pirate groups off the Somali coast. The tanker MT Honour 25 was seized on April 21, the cargo ship Sward on April 26, and the tanker Eureka on May 2, with pirates reportedly demanding $3 million for the latter’s release. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued warnings about the severe piracy threat in the region, particularly near Puntland and the Gulf of Aden, advising vessels to stay at least 150 nautical miles offshore or avoid the area entirely.
