ATHENS: Pirates boarded a Malta-flagged products tanker off Somalia on Thursday but were unable to take control as the crew retreated to a fortified safe room.

This marked a significant escalation in pirate activity in the region since 2024.

The Hellas Aphrodite, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, was targeted by pirates in a 'security incident' on Thursday morning, according to its Greek manager Latsco Marine Management.

The crew, consisting of nationals from Montenegro, Greece, and the Philippines, sought refuge in the ship’s citadel, ensuring their safety.

The attack began with pirates firing on the tanker, followed by the launch of a rocket-propelled grenade.

Maritime security firm Ambrey reported that the assailants arrived in a skiff.

In response, the European Union's naval force moved to address the situation, getting close to the incident site and preparing for appropriate action.

Japanese aircraft conducted surveillance over the area but detected no further activity or signs of movement on the ship.

The last comparable boarding took place in May 2024 when pirates attempted to board a vessel around 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, leading to EU naval forces rescuing the crew after rappelling onto the ship.

In a separate incident on Monday, suspected Somali pirates attacked a commercial tanker near Mogadishu, firing at the vessel during their attempted boarding.

Pirates also commandeered an Iranian fishing vessel this week for use as a mothership to launch attacks.

The last hijacking occurred in December 2023 when the Maltese-flagged Ruen was taken to the Somali coast before being freed by Indian naval forces.

While Somali pirate gangs have been relatively inactive recently, Yemen’s Iran-affiliated Houthi militia has posed a threat through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023.

Despite agreeing not to target US-linked shipping, many companies remain cautious about resuming voyages in these waters.