What's happened
On Thursday, Somali pirates attacked and seized the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, about 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia. The 24 crew members locked themselves in the ship's citadel and remain safe. The EU's Operation Atalanta and UK Maritime Trade Operations are responding amid rising piracy linked to a hijacked Iranian fishing boat used as a pirate base.
What's behind the headline?
Renewed Somali Piracy Threat
The seizure of the Hellas Aphrodite signals a significant resurgence of Somali piracy after years of decline. Despite international naval efforts and regional stabilization, pirates have adapted by using hijacked vessels like the Iranian fishing boat as mobile bases, extending their operational reach over 1,000 km offshore.
Regional Instability as a Catalyst
The insecurity caused by Yemen's Houthi attacks in the Red Sea corridor and the broader Israel-Hamas conflict has diverted attention and resources, weakening anti-piracy patrols. This has created a security vacuum exploited by pirate groups.
Economic and Security Implications
The attack threatens critical shipping lanes transporting energy and goods between Asia and Africa, raising insurance costs and operational risks for maritime trade. The use of heavy weaponry like RPGs and machine guns indicates increased pirate boldness and capability.
Forecast and Consequences
Piracy incidents will likely increase in the near term unless international naval presence is reinforced and regional security improves. Shipping companies may reroute vessels or increase onboard security, impacting global supply chains. The stigma faced by Somali fishermen, as noted by locals, could worsen, complicating efforts to distinguish lawful fishing from piracy.
What This Means for Readers
While distant, these events affect global fuel prices and shipping costs, potentially impacting consumer prices worldwide. Heightened maritime security alerts may also influence travel and trade policies in affected regions.
What the papers say
Jon Gambrell of The Independent provides detailed accounts of the Hellas Aphrodite seizure, emphasizing the crew's safety and the EU naval response, noting the pirates' use of machine guns and RPGs. Al Jazeera highlights the proximity of EU naval forces and the ongoing threat to other vessels, quoting the UK Maritime Trade Operations center's warnings. AP News and The Independent both link the piracy resurgence to regional instability caused by Yemen's Houthi rebels and the Israel-Hamas conflict, providing economic context with data from Oceans Beyond Piracy. The NY Post and Reuters focus on the tactical aspects, such as the pirates operating from a hijacked Iranian fishing boat and the recent unsuccessful attack on the Stolt Sagaland tanker. These sources collectively paint a picture of a coordinated, emboldened pirate group exploiting geopolitical distractions, with EU and UK forces actively responding to contain the threat.
How we got here
Piracy off Somalia peaked in 2011 with 237 attacks, costing the global economy $7 billion. International naval patrols and a stronger Somali government reduced attacks, but piracy has resurged since late 2023, partly due to regional instability linked to Yemen's Houthi rebels and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The Hellas Aphrodite is the first commercial ship seized since May 2024.
Go deeper
- What is Operation Atalanta and how does it combat piracy?
- How does regional conflict in Yemen affect piracy off Somalia?
- What impact does Somali piracy have on global shipping and trade?
Common question
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Why Are Somali Pirates Attacking Ships Again?
Recent reports indicate a resurgence in piracy off the Somali coast, with pirates attacking ships once more. This raises questions about what’s causing this spike and what it means for global shipping. Below, we explore the key reasons behind this increase, the regions most affected, and how naval forces are responding to this renewed threat.
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Why Are Somali Pirates Attacking Ships Now?
Piracy off the coast of Somalia has seen a resurgence recently, raising questions about what's driving these attacks. With ships seized and crews threatened, many wonder what factors are fueling this dangerous trend. In this page, we explore the reasons behind the recent piracy surge, the regional instability involved, and what international forces are doing to combat it.
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How Is Global Energy and Trade Being Affected by Recent Events?
Recent developments in shipping, oil markets, and international conflicts are reshaping the global economy. From piracy off Somalia to UK interest rate decisions, these events influence energy supplies, trade routes, and market stability. Curious about how these factors connect and what they mean for you? Below are key questions and answers to help you understand the current landscape.
More on these topics
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Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel and Somali Sea to the east, and Kenya to the southwest.
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Eyl is an ancient port town in the northeastern Nugal region of Somalia in the autonomous Puntland region, also serving as the capital of the Eyl District. Eyl, also called Illig, was the capital of the Dervishes from 1905 onwards, until superseded by...
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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The Houthi movement, officially called Ansar Allah and colloquially simply Houthis, is an Islamic political and armed movement that emerged from Sa'dah in northern Yemen in the 1990s.