Somali pirates have hijacked an oil tanker named MT Eureka off the coast of Yemen, marking a significant escalation in maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Aden. According to multiple Somali security officials who spoke with the BBC, the vessel was seized early Sunday morning and is currently being navigated toward the Somali coastline. The Yemeni coastguard had earlier confirmed that the tanker was overrun by armed men near the port of Qana, an area that has seen increased pirate activity in recent months.
The hijackers reportedly departed from a remote coastal area near the seaside town of Qandala in the semi-autonomous Puntland region. The MT Eureka, which flies the flag of the West African nation of Togo, was intercepted at approximately 5:00 AM local time. This incident represents the fourth successful hijacking in a span of just two weeks, a trend that has alarmed international maritime agencies and local authorities alike. It follows the seizure of the Honor 25 on April 22, which was transporting over 18,000 barrels of oil intended for Mogadishu.
The resurgence of Somali piracy appears to be linked to the broader geopolitical instability in the region. Since late 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden as part of their response to the conflict in Gaza. This has forced international naval coalitions, including those led by the United States and the European Union, to focus their resources on neutralizing the Houthi threat. Experts believe that armed groups along the Somali coast are taking advantage of this security lapse to resume their operations after a period of relative dormancy since 2011.
Somalia’s coastline is the longest in mainland Africa, stretching over 3,333 kilometers, making it nearly impossible to patrol without a dedicated and well-resourced international presence. The United Kingdom Maritime Transportation Operation (UKMTO) also reported a separate incident on Friday involving a bulk carrier near Al-Mukala, Yemen, where armed persons in a small skiff approached the ship. While that particular vessel managed to avoid a takeover, the proximity of the two incidents suggests that pirate networks are expanding their reach across the vast maritime corridor.
As the MT Eureka heads toward Somali waters, the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), which oversees anti-piracy operations in the area, has yet to issue a detailed statement regarding the latest development. Typically, hijacked vessels are taken to remote anchorages where pirates initiate negotiations for ransom. However, the involvement of oil tankers adds a layer of complexity due to the environmental and economic risks involved. The situation remains fluid, and while the crew`s condition is currently unknown, the pattern of recent attacks suggests that without a renewed focus on the Somali coast, the safety of the international shipping lane remains in serious jeopardy.
