A Stolt Tankers chemical tanker came under attack by armed assailants off the Somali coast on 3rd November. The incident was confirmed by both the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the maritime security specialist Vanguard Tech.
The Stolt Sagaland, flying the Cayman Islands flag, was navigating roughly 332 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu when a small boat launched from a suspected mothership approached. Four armed individuals opened fire from the starboard side in an apparent attempt to board the vessel.
The ship’s crew quickly raised the alarm, increased speed, and executed evasive maneuvers. The onboard security team returned fire, forcing the attackers to retreat. No injuries or damage were reported, and the tanker continued toward its next destination.
According to Ambrey, the attackers came dangerously close – within 0.05 nautical miles – before retreating. In response, EU NAVFOR Atalanta has heightened threat alerts in the area, citing possible activity by a pirate group linked to a recently hijacked Iranian dhow.
Authorities warn that unusual vessel movements in the region may indicate further suspicious approaches, urging ships transiting these waters to remain vigilant and report any threats immediately.
