Kathmandu— A tanker has been seized by six armed individuals off the coast of Yemen and is now being directed toward Somalia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre. The incident occurred approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, after the Seamull tanker – also known as SIBU 1 – issued a distress call reporting it was being approached by an unauthorized vessel while traveling westwards in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. Authorities are investigating the situation and have advised vessels to exercise caution while transiting the area and report any suspicious activity.

Incident Details

The UKMTO confirmed that armed individuals boarded the tanker and took control, redirecting it towards Somalia. The SIBU 1 issued a distress call after being approached by an unauthorized vessel in the Gulf of Aden. No further details regarding the safety of the crew or the condition of the tanker were immediately available.

Strategic Shipping Lane

The hijacking occurred in a critical maritime corridor, as the Gulf of Aden connects to both the Red Sea and the Suez Canal—a vital route for global trade. Approximately 12 to 15 percent of world trade by value passes through the Suez Canal annually, alongside roughly 30 percent of all container traffic. This makes the area particularly vulnerable to disruptions.

Resurgence of Somali Piracy

The attack represents a marked resurgence in Somali piracy, which had been largely dormant for over a decade before this year. Prior to international intervention, Somali pirates were responsible for more than 1,000 attacks between 2005 and 2012, collecting approximately $400 million in ransom payments. Currently, five cargo ships are being held hostage, including an oil tanker seized off Yemen’s Hadramout province in July.

Contributing Factors

Analysts suggest that increased naval commitments to conflicts in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz have stretched international resources thin, causing vessels to reroute closer to Somali waters. Coupled with ongoing instability within Somalia itself, these factors are believed to be driving the renewed threat of piracy in the region.

Authorities continue to investigate the hijacking and monitor the situation in the Gulf of Aden as concerns grow over the resurgence of maritime piracy in the area.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.