Vessel Boarded by Suspected Pirates off the Somali Coast

Incident Details. UKMTO has issued Warning 040/25 for a vessel boarding approximately 560 NM southeast of Eyl, Somalia, in position 02°05’N 057°10’E at 0712 UTC on 6 November 2025. The Master reported a single small craft approached on the stern, firing small arms and RPGs before unauthorised personnel boarded the vessel. Initial open-source reporting identifies the target as a Malta-flagged products tanker Hellas Aphrodite, though UKMTO has not named the vessel at the time of writing. Early reports indicate the crew retreated to the citadel and there was no armed security team embarked.

Fig1. Location of Incident – 560nm southeast of Eyl, Somalia   

Comment. This is a deep-water attack well into the Indian Ocean, consistent with PAG (Pirate Action Group) operations using a mothership to project range. The use of small arms and RPG fire prior to boarding indicates a confident and aggressive modus operandi. Open-source assessments today linked the group to a recently seized Iranian fishing dhow reportedly used as a base, aligning with patterns seen in previous Somali piracy resurgences. The event follows this week’s attempted attack on STOLT SAGALAND further west, reinforcing indications of increasing pirate activity and capability in the wider Somali Basin.

Assessment. It is highly likely a reconstituted Puntland-based PAG executed this boarding, operating from a commandeered dhow to extend endurance and skiff reach. Today’s successful boarding, coupled with recent failed but kinetic attempts (shots fired, skiff supported by mothership), suggests a meaningful uptick in threat across 45°E–60°E and between 01°N–10°N where traffic density and routing patterns present opportunities. Ships are advised to comply with the guidance in BMP-Maritime Security bmp-ms_hi-res_s.pdf and to consider using an Armed Security Team to best mitigate the threat from pirate activity.  Contact Neptune P2P Group, if you require any further assistance.