Pirate attacks on two commercial ships thwarted off Somalia

Armed pirates attacked two commercial vessels in separate incidents in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia’s eastern coast, but both ships escaped attempted hijackings, maritime security firms said. The Panama-flagged cargo vessel Greta Star came under attack on June 15 when armed men in a small boat approached the ship south of Yemen’s coast, according to maritime security company Vanguard Tech. The attackers opened fire on the vessel, but the crew increased speed and implemented security measures, forcing the assailants to abandon the attack.

No injuries were reported. In a separate incident, a Palau-flagged general cargo ship was attacked about 32 nautical miles south of Hafun in Somalia’s Bari region. Maritime security firm Ambrey said two skiffs carrying around 12 armed men fired at the vessel and ordered it to stop.

The ship’s private security team exchanged gunfire with the attackers for about 30 minutes before the skiffs withdrew, Ambrey said. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it was investigating the incidents and advised vessels operating in the area to maintain heightened vigilance and report any suspicious activity. The attacks come amid growing warnings over a resurgence of Somali piracy, particularly off the coast of Puntland and along the strategic Gulf of Aden shipping route.