It has been confirmed that the 74,695-dwt Nave Atropos (built 2013) was the subject of an attack launched by Somali pirates south of Salalah in the late hours of 17 January.
TradeWinds reported on Tuesday that the five men suspected of the attack were later detained by a vessel of the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) on Saturday.
The tanker had issued a distress call to the UK Maritime Trade Operation (UKMTO) on the evening of Friday 17 January, reporting to be under attack.
According to UK-based Dryad Maritime Intelligence an on board security team repelled the attack with a “graduated response, culminating in an exchange of fire”.
“The pirates ignored deterrence, and continued their approach, firing at the ship. A robust response from the embarked team was eventually enough to encourage the pirate skiff to return to the safety of its dhow mother vessel,” said Dryad’s director of intelligence Ian Millen.
“This incident shows that, despite the very clear decline in the scope and scale of Somali piracy, as evidenced by the IMB’s latest report and Dryad Maritime Intelligence’s own figures, the threat remains very real.
“With reports of more naval disruptions than pirate attacks in 2013 and the recent publication of the IMB’s annual figures, it is clear that the tide has turned for those who seek financial gain from the misery of others.
“But the most recent night time attack in the shipping lanes beyond the immediate protection of naval forces, is the clearest reminder of Somali pirate intent and capability.
“They may have taken a beating in 2013, but this attack has shown that Somali pirates still have the knowledge, the determination and the logistic capability to mount attacks against vulnerable ships.”
