Pirate attack on "Hellas Aphrodite" - Another serious incident occurs off the coast of Somalia. The Greek product tanker Hellas Aphrodite (30,000 tonnes, Malta flag) was boarded by armed pirates around 560 nautical miles south-east of Eyl on 6 November. The 24 crew members escaped to the ship's citadel before an EUNAVFOR Atalanta mission team was able to intervene.

The liberation operation after the Pirate attack on the "Hellas Aphrodite" shows how tense the security situation in the western Indian Ocean is once again. Analysts warn that the incident could be an indication of a possible return of large-scale pirate activity.

The Spanish frigate ESPS "Victoria" (3,160 tonnes) was on patrol in the area for the EU forces of EUNAVFOR Atalanta, which have been monitoring the region since 2008, and was immediately dispatched to the scene. After a show of force involving helicopters, drones, a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft (P-3C Orion) and a visit from a special operations team, the pirate group gave up and left the civilian tanker, according to an Atalanta spokesperson. During the incident, EUNAVFOR remained in contact with the crew, the flag state and the owner of the vessel.

After the rescue operation, a "dhow" serving as the mother ship for the pirate attack was pursued by the Spanish frigate and an unnamed Indian Navy warship. Further evidence and information was gathered during the seizure of the abandoned Iranian-flagged "Issamohamadi". This, together with the forensic material from the "Hellas Aphrodite", will be handed over to the judicial body responsible for prosecuting the attackers.

EUNAVFOR Atalanta has already issued a threat bulletin advising ships to avoid the region if possible. Should ships nevertheless sail into the area, they should register with the security authorities and strengthen their protection against pirate attacks, as the danger in the region remains high.

It was emphasised that the "Hellas Aphrodite" was already the third incident in November. Analysts noted that it had been 18 months since Somali pirate groups had attacked large merchant ships. The scale of the current activity is raising fears that piracy could increase there again.

kdk, The Maritime Executive, DefenceWeb