A Malta-flagged tanker sailing from Sikka in India to Durban, South Africa, was attacked and boarded by suspected Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia on November 6, 2025, according to maritime security reports.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said the ship’s master reported being approached by a small craft from the stern about 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia.

The small craft opened fire using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) before unauthorised personnel boarded the vessel. UKMTO issued an alert advising ships in the region to “transit with caution” and to report any suspicious activity.

Private security firm Ambrey confirmed that the incident involved a Malta-flagged tanker travelling between India and South Africa, identifying it as the Hellas Aphrodite.

The firm stated that the attack was likely carried out by Somali pirates, who have reportedly been active in the region in recent days. The group is believed to be operating from an Iranian fishing vessel, Issamohamadi, reportedly seized earlier for use as a base of operations.

At the time of the attack, vessel tracking data revealed that the Hellas Aphrodite changed its course and reduced speed. The ship’s owners and managers did not comment on the incident.

Another maritime security company, Diaplous Group, reported that the tanker carried 24 crew members, all of whom secured themselves in the ship’s citadel during the incident. The firm added that no armed security team was present on board.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The European Union Naval Force’s Operation Atalanta, which oversees counter-piracy efforts around the Horn of Africa, has responded to recent incidents and recently warned that pirate assaults in the area were “almost certain” to occur.

The latest incident followed another suspected pirate attack on the Cayman Islands-flagged tanker Stolt Sagaland, in which both the vessel’s armed guards and the attackers exchanged gunfire, according to EU Naval Force reports.

Piracy off Somalia reached its peak in 2011, when 237 attacks were recorded, costing the global economy an estimated $7 billion and resulting in about $160 million in ransom payments, according to the Oceans Beyond Piracy monitoring group.

The number of attacks dropped significantly in the following years due to international naval patrols and improved governance in Somalia.

However, piracy has resurged since late 2023. Security firm Solace Global Risk attributed this increase to reduced anti-piracy patrols and the diversion of resources to counter Houthi rebel activities in the Red Sea.

The International Maritime Bureau reported seven incidents off the coast of Somalia in 2024, with several fishing boats seized so far this year.

References: UKMTO, Al Jazeera