Suspicious Activity Involving a Tanker, Gulf of Aden
Issued: 2 months ago
Date Reference Region Category Aggressors Source
2026-05-23 02:15:00 CW Alert 023- (May 26) Indian Ocean Suspicious activity Pirates UKMTO
It has been reported that a products tanker was approached by a small craft with five persons onboard whilst underway approximately 200nm West of Socotra, within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor, Gulf of Aden (exact position not specified). The small craft closed to within 100m of the vessel. The vessel's Armed Security Team were deployed and the small craft altered course away from the reporting vessel. The authorities are investigating. UPDATE 1: MSCIO have reported that OPERATION ATALANTA have identified evidence that indicates the reported small craft is part of a Pirate Action Group (PAG) and have assessed the PAG is actively attempting to Hijack merchant vessels transiting the area. OPERATION ATALANTA is continuing to monitor the situation. UPDATE 2: Operation ATALANTA assets have confirmed that the Pirate Action Group previously reported has been successfully disrupted by an Indian Naval warship and is no longer considered a threat to vessels operating in the area.
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