GULF OF ADEN — The Tanzanian-flagged tanker MT Astana was seized by suspected Somali pirates on Friday in the Gulf of Aden. The hijacking has prompted coordinated response efforts from regional coastguards and international maritime agencies as the vessel was moved to waters off Somalia's northeastern coast.

The Yemeni coastguard stated the MT Astana was seized about 26 nautical miles (48km) off Hadramawt province. This location places the incident within a critical maritime corridor that sees significant commercial traffic destined for ports in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

UKMTO reported the vessel was boarded by "unauthorised personnel" 65 nautical miles (120km) south of the port of Mukalla. The organization urged vessels in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity to ensure the safety of crews operating in the vicinity of the incident.

Puntland security officials identified the hijacked vessel as the MT Astana and provided details on the perpetrators. They said the MT Astana was seized by seven gunmen who set off from a remote area near the Puntland port town of Garacad. The tanker was en route to the port of Bosaso in Puntland when it was boarded by the armed group.

Public vessel-tracking data showed the MT Astana transmitting its position on Friday while moving slowly in the Gulf of Aden at about 2 knots. This slow speed is consistent with a vessel under the control of hijackers who may be navigating toward a secure holding area away from main shipping lanes. The MT Astana has been moved to waters off Somalia’s northeastern Bari region, specifically off the coast of Caluula.

Yemeni authorities said they were coordinating with international partners and maritime agencies to verify the tanker’s condition and track its movements. Naval vessels, including a Yemeni coastguard boat, were reported heading towards the ship, while aircraft flew reconnaissance sorties overhead. These assets are working to establish the current status of the crew and the cargo aboard the seized tanker.

Piracy has resurged in the region in 2026 after more than a decade of relative calm. This incident marks the second hijacking of a vessel off the coast of Yemen since May 2026, indicating a potential shift in tactical operations by armed groups in the area. Since April 2026, the French navy’s Mica Center has recorded 18 piracy incidents and hijackings across the wider region.

At least three other vessels are still held for ransom, complicating ongoing negotiations and security operations. The Atalanta and Aspides naval missions patrol the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa, providing a multinational presence intended to deter such attacks. These missions operate in waters that remain vital for global supply chains despite the renewed security threats.

An international crackdown all but ended Somali pirate hijackings by 2013, leading to a long period of reduced activity. Between 2005 and 2012, Somali pirates were blamed for more than 1,000 attacks, worth approximately $400 million in ransom payments. The shipping industry formally lifted its “high risk” designation for the Indian Ocean in 2023, reflecting the previous confidence in regional security.

The strategic importance of these waterways remains high, with roughly 12 to 15 percent of global trade by value passing through the Suez Canal each year. About 30 percent of the world’s container traffic passes through the Suez Canal each year, making any disruption a matter of significant economic concern. The recurrence of hijackings in 2026 challenges the assumptions of safety that have governed shipping routes in recent years.