Somali Pirates Hijack Tanker Following Violent Failed Attack

According to reports, a group of pirates have hijacked theMT Smyrniapproximately450NM South East of Salalah, Oman while transiting in the International Transit Corridor. TheMT Smyrnidid not have a security team onboard and so far we do not know the condition of the crew.

The hijacking follows a violent attack against a tanker yesterday in the same area and possibly by the same group of pirates.

According to the IMB reports, pirates in two skiffs armed with AK47s and RPGs approached a so far unidentified crude tanker underway and fired seven RPG rounds and more than AK47 300 rounds at the vessel from a distance of just 50 meters. Still, the tanker was able to evade a hijacking by taking effective anti-piracy measures. No one was injured in the attack, but the vessel is reported to have sustained damage as a result. It is not clear if the vessel had a security team onboard at the time of the attack.

The pirates in Wednesdays attack were possibly operating from a nearby mothership also reported yesterday just 16nm away from where the attack occurred. Authorities warn that the same group of pirates are still operating in the area and are expected to carry out more attacks.