Multiple vessels report suspicious approaches in Gulf of Aden

With Somali piracy on the rise again several vessels were approached by small craft in the Gulf of Aden on 22/23 May

At least three vessels reported being approached by a small craft in the Gulf of Aden with armed security team opening fire in one case.

“UKMTO has received reports from various sources of suspicious activity within the Gulf of Aden. There have been multiple reports of vessels being approached by Skiff’s, a large Skiff with two outboard engines has been observed carrying both ladders and weapons,” the UKMTO said in an advisory dated 23 May.

The combination of ladders and weapons are used by pirates to board vessels.

Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech said the Sierra Leone-flagged tanker Caruzo was approached by a small craft with carrying five people around 98nm north of Socotra, Yemen, and the tanker’s armed security team fired at the small craft forcing it to alter course.

Vanguard also reported that the Marshall Islands -flagged bulker Pentozali was approached by a skiff with five people onboard 200 nm west of Socotra, Yemen on 23 May. The skiff followed with 100 – 200 metres of the bulker for three minutes before its security team were deployed and displayed weapons.

The security firm also reported that the vessel Mystery reported being approached by a skiff matching the same description and deployed its armed security team. AIS data from Pole Star Global showed the Equatorial Guinea-flagged Aframax Mystery as having passed north of Socotra towards Oman and broadcasting a destination of “armed guard onboard”.

The UKMTO advised vessels sailing in the area to transit with caution and follow Best Management Practices (BMP) Maritime. Security (MS) as well as reporting any suspicious activity.

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

Wind-Assisted Propulsion: Are we ready? at Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global 2024

IMPA 2024 Singapore Maritime Procurement and Sustainability Panel , November 2024

Goodbye Globalization? Red Sea Impacts Reviewed, EGN Singapore (Executives' Global Network) webinar, February 2024

Offshore Marine Breakfast Forum at Sea Asia 2023

Sustainable Finance, Shipping & Technology at Hong Kong Maritime Week 2022

Building & Operating Dual-Fuel Vessels , February 2022

Shipping’s Decarbonisation Challenge – The Role of Technology and Digitalisation at Hong Kong Maritime Week 2021

The Challenge Faced by Ship Registries in a Digital and Post-Pandemic Era, October 2020

The Future of Transhipment Hubs Post-Pandemic, November 2020

Offshore Marine Breakfast Forum at Sea Asia 2019