Pirates Strike Back—Oil Tanker Vanishes at Sea

Somali pirates have shattered years of fragile calm by commandeering a major oil tanker hundreds of miles from shore, thrusting global shipping back into the crosshairs of high-seas crime and forcing every vessel owner and crew to rethink survival in waters once deemed safe.

Story Snapshot

Somali piracy has dramatically resurged, with the hijacking of the Malta-flagged HELLAS APHRODITE marking the first successful commercial ship seizure off Somalia since May 2024.
Pirate tactics have evolved, enabling attacks as far as 800 nautical miles offshore using hijacked motherships and heavier weaponry.
International naval assets are stretched thin due to regional conflicts, leaving commercial shipping exposed and prompting urgent security warnings.
The incident signals a dangerous new era for maritime trade in the Indian Ocean, with ripple effects on shipping costs, insurance, and global supply chains.

Pirates Reclaim the Indian Ocean: HELLAS APHRODITE Hijacked

On November 6, 2025, Somali pirates boarded the Malta-flagged oil tanker HELLAS APHRODITE, seizing control 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl. The 24-member crew executed emergency protocols, retreating to the vessel’s citadel—a fortified safe room—where they were later confirmed unharmed. Despite this, pirates retained control of the ship, demonstrating their ability to outmaneuver both commercial defense measures and, for a critical window, international naval response.

This brazen hijacking was neither isolated nor accidental. Since late October, multiple commercial vessels have suffered attacks or suspicious approaches in the region. Pirates, now organized into advanced action groups, leverage hijacked fishing dhows as motherships, extending their operational range far offshore. They target vessels they perceive as vulnerable, preferring those without armed security and employing automatic weapons and RPGs. The resurgence is directly tied to instability in the Red Sea and the redeployment of coalition naval forces to counter Houthi attacks—leaving the Somali Basin exposed.

Security Vacuum and Tactical Adaptation: A Dangerous Shift

Somali piracy peaked in 2011 when attacks numbered 237, costing the world $7 billion and resulting in $160 million paid in ransoms. International naval patrols and onboard security almost eradicated the threat, but recent changes have reversed hard-won gains. Pirate groups now operate from Puntland, launching attacks that are more sophisticated and farther from land than ever before. The HELLAS APHRODITE incident demonstrates the effectiveness of these new tactics, with pirates exploiting reduced naval presence and targeting ships traversing critical trade routes between Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Somali authorities intercepted erratic dhows south of Eyl on October 28, but the following days saw a rapid escalation. MV SPAR APUS narrowly avoided capture on November 2 thanks to evasive maneuvers, and the next day, STOLT SAGALAND repelled attackers with armed guards. The cycle culminated in the HELLAS APHRODITE hijacking, followed by EU NAVFOR assets reaching the scene but unable to immediately retake the vessel. These events highlight a dynamic, fast-moving threat that outpaces traditional security measures.

Ripple Effects Across Shipping, Insurance, and Global Trade

Urgent advisories from UKMTO and Operation Atalanta have instructed all vessels in the region to strictly adhere to Best Management Practices (BMP5) and recommend armed security for high-risk transits. Shipping companies face skyrocketing insurance premiums, operational costs, and the prospect of rerouting vessels to avoid danger zones—disrupting supply chains and driving up prices for consumers worldwide. Seafarers and their families bear the brunt of these risks, while Somali coastal communities contend with renewed suspicion and economic hardship.

The long-term implications reach well beyond immediate safety concerns. If coalition naval resources remain stretched and pirate groups continue adapting, the Indian Ocean could see sustained instability, undermining confidence in maritime security and threatening humanitarian shipments. Somali fishermen risk being caught in the crossfire, their livelihoods eroded by both the stigma of piracy and the fallout from disrupted trade. Regional leaders and international insurers now scramble to recalibrate risk assessments and response strategies.

Expert Analysis: Renewed Urgency for Maritime Security Coordination

Maritime security experts stress that the use of motherships has expanded the area of risk, making it difficult for naval forces to respond quickly and effectively. Insurance analysts and risk managers urge vessel operators to prioritize BMP5 compliance and invest in private armed security teams. The cyclical nature of Somali piracy—driven by local instability and global security gaps—demands sustained attention. Analysts link the current resurgence to broader regional unrest, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and Houthi attacks, which have diverted naval resources from critical chokepoints.

Coordinated international action and a renewed naval presence are widely recognized as the only viable path to suppress this new wave of piracy. Without these efforts, the threat will persist, with pirates continuing to exploit every lapse in vigilance and security. As the HELLAS APHRODITE remains under pirate control, the world watches to see how shipowners, insurers, and governments respond to a problem that was never truly solved—only temporarily contained.