Key facts
- The Tanzanian-flagged tanker MT Asana was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden.
- Somali pirates are reportedly holding the vessel, with 20 crew members on board.
- The hijack occurred approximately 26 nautical miles off Yemen's Hadramawt province.
- Piracy activity in the region has seen a resurgence since late 2023.
A merchant tanker, the MT Asana, that was hijacked in Yemeni waters in the Gulf of Aden last week is now being held by Somali pirates, according to residents of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region. The Tanzanian-flagged fuel and chemical tanker was reportedly boarded by seven gunmen and is being moved towards Somalia.
One resident, who identified himself as a former pirate, stated that there were 20 crew members on board the MT Asana, including eight from Germany and 10 from the Philippines. Another resident of Caluula in Puntland reported seeing pirates transporting food to the hijacked vessel.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed an "illegal boarding" of the vessel, classifying it as a hijack. The Yemeni coastguard said the Asana was seized about 26 nautical miles (48km) off Hadramawt province. Officials from Somalia's Puntland region identified the craft and stated it was seized by seven gunmen who set off from a remote area near Garacad port town.
This incident marks a resurgence in Somali piracy, which had been largely dormant for over a decade until late 2023. The Gulf of Aden is a critical shipping lane, feeding into the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Analysts suggest that naval forces being stretched thin by conflicts in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, coupled with shipping traffic rerouting closer to Somali waters and instability in Somalia, are contributing factors to the renewed threat.