On 6 November 2025, the product tanker HELLAS APHRODITE became the first merchant vessel successfully boarded by Somali pirates in the Western Indian Ocean Basin since 2018.
The incident – and the rapid multinational response that followed – is a clear reminder that Somali piracy remains a latent but credible threat, with pirate action groups still capable of operating at extreme range from the Somali coast.
Below, we break down what happened, how the incident was resolved, and what it means for shipowners and operators trading through the region.
At 0850 UTC on 6 November 2025, the Malta-flagged product tanker HELLAS APHRODITE (IMO 9722766) was attacked and boarded by Somali pirates in position 02°05N 057°10E – approximately 560 NM southeast of Eyl and 700 NM off Mogadishu.
Key details:
The vessel was en route to Durban.
No embarked armed security team was reported on board.
The pirates opened fire during the approach; reporting indicates the use of an RPG.
The attacking group successfully gained access to the vessel.
In line with shipboard contingency planning, all 24 crew members (5 Greek, 1 Montenegrin, 18 Filipino) retreated to the citadel.
Following the boarding, the vessel was observed drifting, with its AIS signal disabled or intermittent, complicating real-time tracking and situational awareness.
By the evening of 6 November, the incident had triggered a coordinated response from regional and international naval forces:
Airborne surveillance was established by an Indian Navy P-8I and a Japanese P-3C maritime patrol aircraft.
The EU NAVFOR Operation ATALANTA flagship, Spanish frigate ESPS VICTORIA (F-82), was diverted at best speed to intercept, with arrival expected the following morning.
On 7 November 2025, ESPS VICTORIA arrived on scene before noon local time. A coordinated show of force followed, combining:
A shipborne helicopter
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
A special operations boarding team
Under increasing pressure from these forces, the pirate action group abandoned HELLAS APHRODITE, escaping in their skiffs towards a suspected mother dhow.
A full search by EUNAVFOR personnel confirmed:
No pirates remained on board.
All 24 crew members were unharmed and exited the citadel in good condition.
By 1430 UTC on 7 November, the vessel had resumed normal operations under temporary naval escort and was cleared to continue her voyage to Durban.
Meanwhile, Operation ATALANTA, in cooperation with Combined Maritime Forces, Puntland authorities, and regional air assets, launched an intensive search for the mother ship and fleeing pirate group, with the stated intent of intercepting and enabling legal prosecution.
The HELLAS APHRODITE case is significant for several reasons:
This is the first successful Somali pirate boarding of a merchant vessel in the Western Indian Ocean Basin since 2018. After years of relatively low activity, the incident underlines that the threat has not disappeared – it has simply been suppressed.
The attack took place over 700 NM from the Somali coast, demonstrating:
Continued pirate ability to operate far beyond traditional coastal areas.
Ongoing use of mother ships (e.g. dhows) to project skiffs and small craft into key shipping lanes.
The need for voyage planners and masters to avoid assuming that distance from the Somali shore equates to safety.
The disciplined retreat of the crew to the citadel was critical:
It denied pirates control over the crew and ship systems.
It reduced the risk of hostage-taking and potential violence.
It allowed naval forces to conduct a deliberate operation knowing the crew were protected.
This reinforces the value of:
Robust Ship Security Plans (SSP).
Regular citadel drills and clear onboard procedures.
Crew training aligned with Best Management Practices (BMP).
The rapid and coordinated response by EU NAVFOR ATALANTA, regional air assets, and partner forces demonstrates:
The continuing relevance of multinational naval missions in deterring and disrupting piracy.
The operational value of maritime patrol aircraft, UAVs, and special operations boarding teams in complex piracy incidents.
How coordinated intelligence, surveillance and response can shift pirate cost-benefit calculations and force abandonment of a hijacked vessel.
For owners, charterers, and operators transiting the Western Indian Ocean, this incident should trigger a renewed review of risk posture:
Reassess voyage risk
Treat Somali piracy as a dormant but resurgent risk rather than a historical one. Factor extended-range PAG operations into risk assessments and routing decisions.
Reinforce BMP compliance
Ensure BMP-aligned measures are in place and actively practiced: watchkeeping, hardening measures, citadel design, and crew training.
Review security options
Consider the full spectrum of security – from armed guards to passive measures – based on route, threat level, and vessel profile.
Prioritise intelligence-led planning
Timely, high-quality maritime security intelligence is central to avoiding high-risk patterns, understanding evolving PAG tactics, and coordinating with naval forces when necessary.
Dryad Global continues to monitor the HELLAS APHRODITE case and associated counter-piracy operations in the Western Indian Ocean, providing clients with updated threat assessments, pattern-of-life analysis, and practical guidance for safe, commercially viable routing.
If your organisation would benefit from continuous, expert-led maritime risk intelligence to support voyage planning and security decision-making, please get in touch with the Dryad Global team.