Escalating Maritime Threats: Oil Tanker Hijacked in Gulf of Aden

A worrying incident has unfolded in the Gulf of Aden, where armed men have hijacked an oil tanker, the M/T Eureka, and are steering it towards Somali waters. This event highlights a troubling rise in piracy in the region, with another tanker recently seized nearby. Maritime security experts are linking this resurgence to stretched naval resources and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and updates on the crew's safety are expected soon. As shipping companies are urged to exercise caution, the implications for global supply chains could be significant.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 3, 2026, 01:18 IST

Hijacking Incident in the Gulf of Aden

In a troubling development regarding maritime security in the Gulf of Aden, Yemeni officials announced on Saturday that armed individuals had taken control of an oil tanker off Yemen's southern coast, steering it towards Somali waters. The Yemeni coast guard reported that the M/T Eureka, a vessel registered under the Togo flag, was boarded by unidentified attackers near Shabwa province in what has been characterized as an armed seizure. The hijackers swiftly took command of the ship and altered its course through the Gulf of Aden, heading towards Somalia.

As of Saturday evening, information regarding the crew members aboard, including their nationalities and current status, remains scarce. The coast guard has confirmed that they have located the tanker and are collaborating with regional partners to monitor its movements, recover the ship, and ensure the safety of the crew. The vessel had reportedly departed from Fujairah in the UAE approximately eight days prior and was anchored near Al Mukalla in Yemen before the incident.

This recent hijacking occurs amidst a noticeable rise in piracy incidents off the Horn of Africa. Just days earlier, another oil tanker, the Honour 25, was captured by armed men near the Somali coast, with 17 crew members on board, including 10 from Pakistan, four from Indonesia, and others from India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. That tanker was carrying around 18,500 barrels of oil and was anchored close to the shore between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla in Puntland.

Context of Increasing Maritime Threats

Experts in maritime security attribute this resurgence of piracy to limited naval resources in the region. Many international patrols have been redirected or distracted due to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, which are connected to broader conflicts in the Middle East. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has recently elevated the piracy threat level, reporting at least four suspected incidents in just the past week, including attacks on fishing vessels and other tankers.

For years, piracy off the coast of Somalia had been largely contained due to effective international naval operations and onboard security measures, such as armed guards. However, the region's waters remain perilous—characterized by narrow shipping lanes, vast open seas, and nearby ungoverned territories that present opportunities for opportunistic attacks.

Currently, shipping companies are advised to exercise heightened caution, adhere to recommended shipping corridors, and maintain vigilance. The Gulf of Aden is one of the busiest maritime routes for oil and commercial traffic globally, and a sustained resurgence of piracy could lead to increased insurance costs and disrupt global supply chains once more. Authorities in Yemen and Somalia, along with international partners, are closely monitoring the situation, with updates on the M/T Eureka and the crew's condition anticipated in the coming hours or days.