The Maltese-flagged oil-tanker, Hellas Aphrodite has been hijacked by pirates 1000-km off the coast of Eyl, Somalia. The ship was boarded by Somali pirates with a small boat who fired at the tanker and overwhelmed the crew. Up to 24 crew members including 5 Greek men are on-board the ship but it has been confirmed that they are in good condition. They are said to be safe in the ship’s citadel.
The ship is owned by the Greek company, Latsco Marine Management.
The ship was en route to to Durban, South Africa, having left from Sikka port, India and is carrying oil cargo.
Spanish frigate ESPS VICTORIA has been dispatched by the EU’s anti-piracy force EUNAVFOR to approach the Hellas Aphrodite and is expected to arrive at the scene later on today.
The last time a ship was hijacked by Somali pirates was in December 2023 when pirates boarded the Malta-flagged bulk carrier, MV Ruen.
In July, a ship carrying arms from Turkey to Mogadishu, was boarded by security forces on orders of Puntland’s regional President, Said Abdullah Deni with the capital Mogadishu accusing the regional President of putting pressure on the Somali state. This event is unrelated to Somali pirates.
Images from Marine Traffic.
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