The Hong Kong-flagged 74,000-dwt tanker Yong Xing (built 2005) was reportedly attacked by twelve pirates in position 13° 11'N, 48° 54'E.
The incident took place on 20 May, but details have only just emerged in the latest piracy report from security consultants AKE Maritime.
AKE reports that two skiffs came within 500 metres of the vessel at which point the on board security team fired warning shots.
A day earlier the 12,738-dwt Singapore-flagged general cargo ship Se Pelagica (built 2010) was approached by five armed pirates in position 12° 12'N, 44° 20'E.
On board armed guards fired warning shots and anti-piracy measures were implemented. The skiff subsequently aborted the attack and moved away.
“There have been eight other reported suspicious sightings in the HRA, the majority located along the Western approaches to the Gulf of Aden,” said AKE.
“These reports fell below the threshold to be considered piracy-related and the increase in reports is more likely to be due to an increase in local fishing activity.”
“However, it is possible that pirate skiffs may probe the responsiveness of merchant vessels transiting the area by carrying out approaches so caution is advised.”
“Some reports suggest a limited number of pirate attack groups seem to be defying the oncoming SW monsoon season and deteriorating sea conditions.”
AKE said that whilst pirate capabilities as a whole have been greatly reduced, these reports demonstrate that opportunistic pirates could still be operating and as such, there is still risk to vessels in the HRA.
“Anti piracy measures should be implemented in accordance with BMP4 and vigilance maintained for the foreseeable future,” it said.
