Pirates HIJACK Major Tanker — Crew Trapped!

After years of relative calm, Somali pirates have returned with a vengeance, hijacking a Malta-flagged tanker 560 nautical miles off the coast—demonstrating operational capabilities that far exceed their historical reach and sophistication.

Story Snapshot

Pirates hijacked the HELLAS APHRODITE tanker on November 6, 2025, with all 24 crew members safe in the vessel’s citadel
Coordinated attacks across a 10-day period show pirates now operating up to 800 nautical miles from shore using hijacked fishing vessels as motherships
The resurgence comes as international naval forces are diverted to combat Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
Armed security teams successfully repelled multiple attacks, proving established countermeasures remain effective

The Perfect Storm Returns

The November 6 hijacking of the HELLAS APHRODITE marks the most dramatic escalation in Somali piracy since the threat was largely suppressed in the mid-2010s. Pirates armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades seized control of the vessel over 1,000 kilometers from the Somali coast, forcing the crew into their fortified citadel where they remain safe but trapped.

This attack represents the culmination of a concerning pattern that began in late October 2025. Maritime authorities documented at least six significant incidents within ten days, including the hijacking of an Iranian dhow on October 26 to serve as a mothership, and attempted boardings of multiple commercial vessels across the western Indian Ocean.

Evolved Tactics Signal Dangerous New Chapter

The current pirate operations demonstrate sophisticated planning and enhanced capabilities that surpass their 2008-2011 predecessors. Pirate Action Groups now project force up to 800 nautical miles from shore—substantially beyond the 300-600 nautical mile range typical of earlier operations. Their systematic hijacking of fishing dhows as motherships enables this extended reach while conserving fuel through coordinated low-speed operations.

The timing proves strategically calculated. Pirates launched their offensive during the monsoon season transition when sea conditions become permissive for small boat operations. More critically, they exploited the diversion of international naval assets to combat Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea, creating operational space in the Indian Ocean that hadn’t existed for years.

Security Measures Prove Their Worth

Despite the HELLAS APHRODITE’s capture, recent incidents validate the effectiveness of established maritime security protocols. The STOLT SAGALAND successfully repelled a pirate attack on November 3 through armed security response, while the captured tanker’s crew avoided casualties by properly implementing citadel procedures according to Best Management Practice 5 protocols.

The critical difference between successful and failed attacks appears to be the presence of Private Armed Security Teams. The HELLAS APHRODITE notably lacked armed guards—a cost-saving decision that may have enabled the successful boarding. Maritime security experts emphasize that established countermeasures work when properly implemented, but require consistent application across the industry.

Economic Consequences Mount Rapidly

The maritime insurance sector immediately responded with elevated premiums and heightened risk assessments for Indian Ocean transits. During the 2011 piracy peak, Somali pirates imposed approximately $7 billion in annual costs on the global economy through ransom payments, increased security measures, route modifications, and insurance premiums.

Shipping companies now face stark operational choices: deploy expensive armed security teams, modify routes to avoid high-risk areas, or accept elevated insurance costs and potential crew endangerment. The EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta maintains active monitoring with assets including the frigate ESPS Victoria, but cannot provide comprehensive coverage across the vast operational area where pirates now operate.