- A tanker was boarded by six armed people who took control of the vessel and diverted it towards Somalia, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Thursday.
- UKMTO earlier said it had received a report of an incident 136 nautical miles east of Yemen's Mukalla, where the tanker, travelling west in the Gulf of Aden, reported being approached by an unauthorised vessel.
- The condition of the crew is currently unknown.
- UKMTO provided no further details and did not say whether the tanker or its crew were safe.
- This incident comes after UKMTO earlier said it had received a report of an incident east of Yemen's Mukalla port city, where the tanker was reported being approached by an unauthorised vessel.
A tanker off Yemen was boarded by six armed individuals who took control of the vessel and diverted it towards Somalia, as reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Thursday.124
The incident occurred 136 nautical miles east of Mukalla, where the tanker was traveling west in the Gulf of Aden when it was approached by an unauthorized vessel.
UKMTO has not provided further details regarding the safety of the tanker or its crew, leaving their condition currently unknown. This incident raises concerns about maritime security in the region, which has seen increased piracy and armed attacks in recent years.5
The UKMTO's report highlights the ongoing risks faced by vessels operating in these waters, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
As the situation develops, further updates from UKMTO and other maritime authorities are anticipated to clarify the status of the crew and the vessel's fate.
“The incident occurred 136 nautical miles east of Yemen's Mukalla, where the tanker, travelling west in the Gulf of Aden, reported being approached by an unauthorised vessel. UKMTO provided no further details and did not say whether the tanker or its crew were safe.”
