By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
MOGADISHU (Dawan) – Somali pirates have reportedly hijacked the oil tanker ASANA off Yemen’s eastern coast on Friday, according to the Yemeni Coast Guard, prompting coordinated action with regional and international maritime partners to track and secure the vessel.
The Coast Guard stated the tanker came under attack approximately 26 nautical miles off Hadramout province before being seized. Its operations centre immediately contacted regional and international maritime authorities to confirm the vessel’s status and support safe navigation in the area.
Preliminary reports indicate one person was observed near the vessel’s bridge, and the tanker was moving slowly southeast toward Somali waters. Yemeni naval units, including a Coast Guard patrol boat, were dispatched to the scene while aerial surveillance monitored the vessel’s movement.
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The tanker’s nationality has not yet been disclosed.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an unnamed vessel had been boarded by “unauthorized personnel” about 65 nautical miles south of Al Mukalla, Yemen, while transiting eastbound through the Gulf of Aden, underscoring the persistent piracy threat in the region.
The Yemeni Coast Guard confirmed that it will continue coordinating with international partners and closely monitoring developments to ensure maritime safety.