Tanker Hijacked Off Yemen Coast, Somali Pirates Strike Again

Sun Sep 06 2026 15:39:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Tanzanian‑flagged tanker was seized by suspected Somali pirates 65 nm off Yemen, marking the second hijacking in three months.

The Gulf of Aden saw another high‑stakes pirate attack as the MT Asana, a tanker sailing under a Tanzanian flag, was boarded by seven gunmen from Somalia’s Puntland region. The UK’s Maritime Safety Organisation confirmed the incident, urging nearby vessels to exercise caution. It is the second hijacking since May and highlights the resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean. Security outfits say the Gulf receives less naval coverage than the wider Indian Ocean, a gap the pirates exploit. Local authorities are scrambling to secure routes to Bosaso and prevent further seizures.

⚓️ Tanker hijacked off Yemen coast by suspected Somali pirates

A Tanzanian‑flagged tanker, MT Asana, was seized 65 nautical miles off Yemen by gunmen coming from Puntland, Somalia’s semi‑autonomous region. The UK Maritime Safety Organisation (UKMTO) confirmed the boarding and warned other vessels to transit cautiously.

This is the second hijacking in three months – the first, the MT Eureka, was seized near Yemen’s port of Qana in May. Explore the prior incident.

The pirates, numbering seven, reportedly launched from a remote area near Garacad town, leaving the Gulf of Aden – a region with lighter naval coverage compared to the broader Indian Ocean – as their playground.

Historically, intense multinational naval patrols have reduced piracy off the Somali coast, but the latest attacks suggest a resurgence. Local officials are calling for increased protection of shipping lanes heading to Puntland’s port of Bosaso.

For more on maritime piracy’s return, watch BBC’s in‑depth coverage.

Stay tuned for updates on this story and its implications for global shipping routes.