Attackers boarded the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite about 560 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia, in the Indian Ocean early Thursday, according to Greek shipping company Latsco Marine Management.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said armed assailants approached the vessel in a small boat and fired small arms and RPGs before boarding the ship, which was carrying loads of gasoline from India to South Africa. The incident was described as an “illegal boarding,” and an alert was issued to ships operating in the area.

UKMTO WARNING 040-25 – 06 NOV 25

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— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) November 6, 2025

The attack marks the first successful hijacking of a commercial vessel off Somalia in over a year. It follows two attempted boardings in the region earlier this week, including an armed assault on a commercial vessel off the coast of Mogadishu.

According to reports, the incident is likely the latest attack by resurgent Somali pirates. Pirate attacks off Somalia had declined in recent years after the establishment of international naval patrols along the coast.

The most recent hijacking, which occurred in May 2024, involved the Liberian-flagged vessel MV Basilisk. The ship, carrying 17 crew members, was attacked by suspected pirates while transiting the Indian Ocean about 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu. All crew members were rescued.