Oil Tanker Hijacked Off Yemen Coast Headed Toward Somali Waters

An oil tanker was hijacked off the coast of Yemen and redirected toward Somali waters in a major security incident that has raised fresh concerns about piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa. Yemeni authorities said unidentified armed men boarded the vessel near the country’s southeastern coastline before taking control of it and steering it toward Somalia.

According to Yemen’s Coast Guard, the tanker identified as the M/T EUREKA was seized off the coast of Shabwa province. Officials said the attackers boarded the ship, overpowered the crew, and changed the vessel’s route toward the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast. Authorities confirmed that efforts are now underway to track the tanker and ensure the safety of those on board.

Reports said the vessel was sailing in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, an area that connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean. The region has remained highly sensitive because of piracy threats, political instability, and attacks on commercial shipping over recent years. Maritime security agencies are closely monitoring the situation as concerns grow about a possible return of large-scale Somali piracy activities.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which monitors threats to ships in the region, had earlier reported suspicious movements involving small armed boats near the area where the tanker was later hijacked. Security experts believe the attackers may have used fast skiffs to approach and board the vessel before taking control.

Yemen’s Coast Guard said the tanker’s location has already been identified and rescue teams are attempting to monitor the vessel’s movement. Officials did not immediately release details about the nationality or number of crew members aboard the ship. There were also no immediate reports of injuries during the hijacking.

The M/T EUREKA is reported to be a Togo-flagged oil products tanker that had previously been seen at the UAE port of Fujairah earlier this year. Shipping data showed the vessel operating in regional waters before the hijacking incident occurred.

The attack has increased fears of a growing resurgence in Somali piracy after several shipping-related incidents were reported in recent weeks. International shipping organizations have warned that reduced naval patrols and ongoing regional conflicts may be creating opportunities for armed pirate groups to become active again in the area.

Somali piracy was once one of the biggest threats to global shipping, especially between 2008 and 2012, when hundreds of commercial vessels were attacked near the Somali coast. International naval operations later helped reduce the number of incidents, but recent attacks suggest pirate networks may once again be expanding their operations in East African waters.

Security analysts say the latest hijacking could affect international trade routes and increase insurance costs for shipping companies operating through the Gulf of Aden. The route is considered extremely important because millions of barrels of oil and large amounts of commercial cargo pass through the region every day.

Authorities in Yemen and regional maritime agencies are continuing investigations into the hijacking while international observers closely watch developments surrounding the tanker and its crew.