News

The 'Atrotos Heracles' was boarded by three unarmed perpetrators on Feb 16, 2025, at 04.45 a.m. in pos. 1° 5.76' N 103° 43.94' E, about 3.5 nautical miles northeast of Pulau Cula, while transiting the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS). The crew members were not injured, and nothing was reported stolen.

On Feb 3, 2025, the 'Chrysalis', which had been targeted by the Houthis on July 12, 2024, made its first transit through the Suez Canal. The tanker had been attacked while it was entering the Red Sea. Later as it transited the Bab el-Mandeb, they launched drones for a second attack on the ship. The Houthis announced they would honor the Gaza cease-fire reached in January and suspended their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. While many of the major shipping lines have taken a wait-and-see attitude stressing their focus on security the Suez Canal Authority is anxious to restore traffic. The 'Chrysalis' was ballasting from Seka to the Sidi Kerir oil terminal in Alexandria, eight months after the Houthis had claimed to have heavily damaged the vessel due to its association with Israel. The tanker s registered in Liberia and reported to be owned by Turkish interests. Report with photos: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/tanker-targeted-by-houthis-returns-to-suez-as-canal-seeks-more-traffic

EUNAVFOR Atalanta has confirmed the release of the dhow “Al Najma” on Feb 13, 2025. The Yemeni fishing boat had been hijacked off Eyl at the Northern coast of Puntland on Feb 8, 2025. The incident was classified as Armed Robbery at Sea. EUNAVFOR Atalanta naval and air assets, among them the 'Santa Maria-F 81', were deployed in the area, conducted an intensive search and succeeded in locating the dhow, which was released when sailing very close to the Somali coast. The immediate presence of the forces in the area, especially the helicopter, was decisive in the fishing vessel's liberation. The forces went on board to grant security and check the condition of the crew. No injuries were reported, and the 12 crew members were safe. The boarding team of the 'Santa Maria' proceeded to collect all possible evidence of the incident, which was still under investigation. Additionally, the fishing boat was assisted by the frigate after a malfunction on the dhow’s engine. The crew confirmed that the alleged pirates had abandoned the vessel after stealing personal objects and two skiffs belonging to the dhow. Throughout the incident, contacts and coordination with maritime security partners in the Area of Operations were conducted. Pivotal exchange of information was shared with the Somali forces, Yemeni Coast Guard and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), particularly with the Japanese Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft. Report with photo: https://eunavfor.eu/news/liberation-al-najma-yemeni-flagged-fishing-boat-hijacked-eyl-north-coast-puntland-somalia

On Jan 27, 2025, at 11.50 p.m. the 'Success' was boarded by two perpetrators, while it was anchored at the OPL Kakinada in the Bay of Bengal in pos. 16°64.56' N 82° 25.27' E. The crew members were not injured. The intruders stole unsecured items

A case of armed robbery occurred onboard the 'Haima' on Feb 1, 2025, while the tanker was underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait (SS), en route from Singapore to Jamnagar, in pos. 1° 7.8' N 103° 47' E. The ship was boarded by five perpetraors. There were no reports of injured crew members or on stolen items.