Friday February 14, 2025
An EUNAVFOR Atalanta ship approaches the Yemeni dhow Al Najma off Somalia.EUNAVFOR Atalanta
Mogadishu (HOL) — A European Union naval task force has successfully secured the release of a Yemeni fishing vessel hijacked off the northern coast of Puntland, Somalia, amid growing concerns over resurgent piracy in the region.
The Yemeni-flagged dhow, Al Najma, was seized on February 8, 2025, in an armed robbery at sea near Eyl, a notorious hotspot for pirate activity. The incident follows a series of maritime security breaches in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden, marking an alarming resurgence of piracy since late 2023.
Upon receiving distress reports, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA deployed naval and air assets to the area, launching an intensive search operation. The dhow was located, sailing dangerously close to the Somali coastline, where the immediate presence of an ATALANTA helicopter was instrumental in forcing the hijackers to abandon the vessel.
The ATALANTA boarding team secured the ship and confirmed the safety of all 12 crew members. No injuries were reported. However, the hijackers managed to steal personal belongings and two skiffs before escaping.
As part of their standard operating procedures, EUNAVFOR personnel conducted a thorough investigation and gathered evidence from the scene. Technical assistance was also provided to Al Najma after the vessel suffered an engine malfunction.
Throughout the operation, ATALANTA forces maintained coordination with regional maritime security partners, including Somali authorities, the Yemeni Coast Guard, and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Intelligence was also shared with a Japanese Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft to ensure a comprehensive response.
The hijacking spotlights ongoing maritime security threats in the region. In 2024 alone, ATALANTA documented multiple piracy-related incidents, including four merchant vessel boardings and two significant hijackings. In January 2025, a Chinese fishing vessel was similarly seized before being released.
Maritime security experts warn that Somali pirates often use hijacked dhows as “mother ships” to extend their operational reach, enabling attacks hundreds of miles into the Indian Ocean. Analysts caution that ransom payments encourage further attacks on commercial vessels, raising concerns over the safety of regional trade routes.
To mitigate risks, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA urges all merchant and fishing vessels to register with the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) under its Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), which allows for enhanced monitoring and rapid response capabilities, reducing vulnerabilities to piracy threats.
