Suspected Somali pirates hijacked a Tanzanian-flagged chemical tanker in the Gulf of Aden and moved it to waters off Somalia's northeastern Puntland region. The MT ASANA, a general and chemical tanker built in 1992, was seized on Friday shortly after departing Mukalla in Yemen.
Hijacking in the Gulf of Aden
Security sources and local officials confirmed the hijacking, which occurred 65 nautical miles south of Mukalla. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially flagged the incident, reporting that unauthorised personnel had boarded a merchant vessel. Maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the tanker issued a distress call and was not carrying an armed security team at the time.
The MT ASANA was moving through the Gulf of Aden on Friday at roughly two knots, an unusually slow speed consistent with the distress reports. Public vessel-tracking data showed the tanker's destination as Bosaso, Somalia. A South Korean naval vessel was dispatched to the area, though no information has emerged about whether it intervened.
Pirate Activity in the Region
The hijacking marks the latest incident in a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. A maritime advisory linked to UKMTO, issued in May, warned that piracy activity in the region remained elevated, with at least one active pirate action group operating in the area. The advisory noted that recent incidents had involved multiple skiffs, weapons, and attempts to board merchant vessels.
Puntland authorities have not issued any public statement on the hijacking. The vessel's owner and manager have also not commented, and international naval forces active in the region have yet to release an update. The number of crew members on board remains unknown, and no information has been released about their nationalities or whether anyone was injured during the seizure.
A Worrying Trend
The hijacking is the latest in a series of incidents along the East African coast. In April, there were fears after suspected pirates took charge of a Mombasa-bound cargo vessel. The attack was viewed as part of a worrying trend, happening barely a week after a similar hijacking was reported off Somalia. Somali pirates have consistently caused major disruptions between 2008 and 2018.
The MT ASANA remains off the Puntland coast, and no further details on the crew's condition or any coordinated response to the hijacking have been released. The hijacking highlights the ongoing threat of piracy in the region, and the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between international authorities.
Source: Tuko
