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Somali Pirates Hijack Tanzanian Tanker in Gulf of Aden — AI-generated representative image: A commercial tanker in the Gulf of Aden, illustrating the recent hijacking of vessels off the Somali coast amid rising piracy

Editorial Team

The MT Asana, with 20 crew aboard including Filipino and German nationals, was seized off Yemen and forced into waters near Puntland

Somali pirates hijacked the Tanzanian-flagged fuel and chemical tanker MT Asana off the coast of Yemen on Friday, marking the second such seizure in the region since May. The vessel was intercepted in the Gulf of Aden after departing the Yemeni port of Mukalla while en route to Bosaso, Somalia.

Seven armed pirates reportedly boarded the tanker and forced it into Somali territorial waters near Puntland. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that military authorities tracked the vessel and reclassified the incident as a hijacking.

The hijacking underscores a troubling resurgence of Somali piracy after years of relative calm. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recently warned that Somali pirates accounted for 94% of all crew taken hostage worldwide in the first half of 2026, raising fresh concerns about maritime security in critical international shipping corridors.

What Is Known About the Seizure

The MT Asana was carrying a crew of 20, including 10 Filipino nationals and eight Germans, according to Tanzanian media outlet The Citizen. Three Somali security officials confirmed the vessel's identity to the BBC, stating that the attackers launched the operation from a remote area near the port town of Garacad before intercepting the tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

The Associated Press, citing anonymous sources familiar with the incident, reported that the vessel was seized on Friday shortly after leaving Mukalla. UKMTO stated the case remains under investigation.

Rising Piracy After Years of Decline

Somali piracy reached its peak in 2011, with pirates disrupting critical global shipping lanes and causing widespread chaos from 2008 to 2018. Following a sustained period of relative quiet, pirate activity has begun to rise again in recent months.

The MT Asana hijacking is the second reported seizure of a vessel off Yemen since May, when the tanker MT Eureka was captured near the port of Qana. It also follows two other piracy incidents recorded in the Indian Ocean in April, suggesting a pattern of escalating maritime threats in the region.

Earlier in July, the IMB warned of a Somali piracy resurgence despite an overall global decline in maritime attacks, with Somali pirates responsible for the overwhelming majority of hostage-taking incidents worldwide in early 2026.

Official Responses and Ongoing Verification

Tanzanian authorities have not yet confirmed the full details of the incident. Chief government spokesman Gerson Msigwa said officials were working to verify the vessel's connection to the country. "We are following up, and once we have complete and accurate information, we will issue an official statement to the public," Msigwa said.

UKMTO confirmed that military authorities tracked the vessel entering Somali territorial waters and formally reclassified the incident as a hijacking. The organization noted that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the seizure are continuing.

What Happens Next

The MT Asana remains in Somali territorial waters near Puntland under the control of the hijackers. Tanzanian authorities are continuing their verification process before issuing an official statement. UKMTO has confirmed the investigation remains active, though no further details about the crew's condition or potential negotiations have been released.