Armed Men Seize Oil Tanker in Gulf of Aden, Vessel Heads Toward Somalia | Ukraine news

A distress call off Yemen has raised fresh fears for commercial shipping, after an unidentified vessel approached a tanker under suspicious circumstances.

Armed militants have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden near the coast of Yemen. Following the attack, the vessel changed course and is heading toward Somalia.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that six armed individuals boarded the tanker. They have taken control of the vessel.

UKMTO has received confirmation that six armed individuals boarded the tanker and are now in control of the vessel, which is heading toward Somalia.

– United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations

Tanker Seizure in the Gulf of Aden

The incident occurred approximately 136 nautical miles, or about 250 kilometers, east of the Yemeni port city of Al Mukalla.

Before the seizure, the crew sent a distress signal. This was prompted by an unregistered vessel approaching the oil tanker in the waters of the Gulf of Aden.

UKMTO has not disclosed the tanker’s name or information about its flag state. The agency continues to investigate the circumstances of the attack.

Shipping Security Near Yemen

UKMTO urged crews of merchant vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden area to remain highly vigilant and report any suspicious activity at sea.

In May, Somali pirates seized the oil tanker MT Eureka off the Yemeni coast. The latest attack has once again drawn attention to the risks facing maritime shipping near Yemen and Somalia.