Key facts
- UKMTO received a report of an attempted interception of a tanker 75 nautical miles east of Aden.
- The tanker reported being pursued by a skiff carrying armed individuals.
- The vessel's security team returned fire, causing the aggressors to abort.
- The tanker and its crew are safe and continuing to their destination.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on Thursday that it received a report of an attempted interception of a tanker 75 nautical miles east of Yemen's Aden. The tanker, traveling westbound, reported that a skiff pursued and attempted to intercept it. Authorities are investigating the incident. According to another report, the vessel's master stated it was approached by a small craft carrying five or six armed people with ladders. The UKMTO stated that after firing on the vessel, the people in the small craft were forced to abort their approach when the security team on the vessel returned fire. The vessel and its crew are reported to be safe, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call. Houthi militants in Yemen have launched drone and missile attacks on shipping in and around the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to show support for the Palestinians in the Gaza war. Maritime sources suggest pirates may be encouraged by a relaxation of security or taking advantage of the chaos caused by attacks on shipping by the Iran-aligned Houthis.