Oil Tanker Hijacked off Yemen Coast, Redirected Toward Somalia

Yemen’s coast guard reported on Saturday that unidentified armed assailants hijacked an oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden and diverted it toward Somalia, raising renewed concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s most strategic shipping corridors.

According to the Yemeni Coast Guard, the vessel, identified as the tanker Eureka, was seized off the coast of Shabwa province by a group that boarded the ship, took control, and altered its course toward Somali waters. The force is affiliated with the internationally recognized Yemeni government rather than the Houthi movement.

Authorities said they have launched an investigation into the incident and are monitoring the vessel’s location. “Efforts are underway to track the tanker and take necessary measures to recover it and ensure the safety of its crew,” the statement added, though no details were provided regarding the number or nationalities of those on board.

Maritime tracking data indicates that Eureka, a Tuvalu-flagged petroleum products tanker, had previously been reported in the UAE’s Fujairah port in late March.

The incident comes amid renewed warnings about maritime security in the region. Piracy off Somalia’s coast surged dramatically in the early 2010s, peaking in 2011 with hundreds of attacks, before declining due to increased international naval patrols and improved security measures on commercial vessels.

However, recent weeks have shown signs of a resurgence. The European Union Naval Force operating under the mission EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta reported three separate attacks in late April, according to its Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean.

The Gulf of Aden remains a critical route for global oil and cargo shipments, linking the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea. Analysts warn that any escalation in piracy or maritime hijackings could have wider implications for global trade flows.

While regional tensions have also been elevated by broader geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing Iran-related crisis affecting parts of Middle Eastern shipping lanes, there is currently no confirmed link between those developments and the hijacking incident.