Latsco says crew safe after pirates board tanker off Somalia

The Greek shipowner said on 6 November that all 24 crew members of 2016-built MR tanker Hellas Aphrodite are safe and accounted for, adding that the company remains in close contact with the vessel.

The incident occurred at around 11:48 local time on 6 November, while Hellas Aphrodite – carrying a gasoline cargo – was transiting from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, approximately 500 nautical miles off the Somali coast.

Maritime security firm Ambrey earlier reported that a Malta-flagged product tanker had been boarded by pirates, who approached the vessel in a skiff and opened fire before boarding. According to Ambrey, the assailants were operating from a hijacked Iran-flagged dhow named Issamohamadi.

Latsco said it has activated its emergency response team and is co-ordinating with relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety and welfare of the crew. 

Meanwhile, a EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta asset is approaching the scene and stands ready to take appropriate action in response to the piracy alert, the mission said in an update.

Ambrey added that another tanker in the area had diverted course away from the affected zone.

Second attack reported this week

This marks the second incident off Somalia in a week. On 3 November, Ambrey reported that a merchant vessel was approached by a small unidentified boat about 331 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.

The crew reportedly mustered in the citadel, while the private armed security team on board fired warning shots. The small boat returned fire, and after an exchange, was seen retreating toward a mothership located approximately five nautical miles away. No injuries or damage were reported.

Piracy risks persist 

The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported last month that no piracy incidents were recorded off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden during Q3 2025, attributing the calm to southwest monsoon conditions. However, it urged vessels to remain vigilant, noting that 26 crew members were taken hostage from two fishing vessels and one dhow during the first half of 2025.

Overall, the IMB recorded 116 piracy incidents between January and September 2025, up from 79 in the same period last year – the highest nine-month total since 2021. These included 102 vessels boarded, nine attempted boardings, four hijackings, and one vessel fired upon.