Gulf of Aden — A Malta-flagged commercial oil tanker en route from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, came under attack early Thursday morning by suspected Somali pirates approximately 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, a coastal town in Somalia’s Puntland region.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the assailants approached the vessel aboard a small high-speed craft and opened fire using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The crew immediately activated emergency protocols, including evasive maneuvers and retreating to the ship’s citadel a fortified safe room designed for such incidents.

The vessel, identified as Hellas Aphrodite and operated by Greek shipping company Latsco Marine Management, was carrying a cargo of gasoline. All 24 crew members were reported safe and unharmed following the incident. A European Union naval vessel, ESPS Victoria, later reached the scene and deployed special forces to secure the tanker and assist the crew.

This marks the second such attack in the region within 24 hours, prompting maritime security officials to warn of a potential resurgence in piracy after nearly a decade of relative calm. The attackers fled the scene before boarding could be completed, and no cargo was reported stolen.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and anti-piracy coalition Operation Atalanta have urged vessels transiting the Indian Ocean to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating from Somalia’s ungoverned coastal areas.

Authorities are investigating whether the attack was opportunistic or part of a coordinated resurgence in maritime piracy, which had previously plagued the region during the early 2000s.