EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA updates the information regarding the 4 closed piracy incidents in the Northern coast of Somalia: Motor Tanker HONOUR 25, Merchant Vessel SWARD, Motor Tanker EUREKA and Motor Tanker SIBU 1. The Motor Tanker ASANA case remains open.
Throughout the development of the different cases, Operation ATALANTA has remained in constant contact with the relevant authorities and companies supporting the liberation of the pirated vessels. Different warnings were issued also on the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) to all vessels sailing in the vicinity throughout the months.
MT HONOUR 25 piracy incident:
On 20 April, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA received an alert message from Puntland Maritime Police Forces reporting that the Fishing Vessel ALKHARY 2 was hijacked by a Pirate Action Group
Following this piracy event, on 21 April, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA reported an incident of piracy involving the Motor Tanker HONOUR 25, being the last known position 28 Nautical Miles Southeast of ALKHARY 2. The day after, Puntland Maritime Police Forces reported that ALKHARY 2 was released and all crew members were safe. They also stressed that the Pirate Action Group remained on board HONOUR 25.
On 29 September, Puntland Maritime Police Forces (PMPF) conducted an operation to release the vessel. The same day, the Master of the vessel requested medical assistance for the crew members wounded after the counter-piracy operation. The result of the operation was five crewmember killed, and two injured, who on 30 September disembarked in Bander Beyla by the PMPF, official sources said.
Operation ATALANTA flagship moved to the Area of Operation to be ready to provide medical assistance and to evacuate the crew members if needed.
On 4 October, PMPF disembarked the rest of the crew in Bosaso.
MV SWARD piracy incident:
On 26 April, MV SWARD was hijacked while en-route to Mombasa. Subsequently the hijacked vessel sailed to Northern coast of Somalia, within territorial waters.
ATALANTA was engaged on this case with reinforced coordination. On 11 September, the Pirate Action Group abandoned the vessel. Crewmembers were reported safe, and the merchant vessel resumed the navigation.
Following the liberation, Operation ATALANTA flagship reassured the navigation of the vessel during her transit to the next port in call. The ship has already arrived safely to Mombasa.
MT SIBU 1 piracy incident:
On 20 August, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA received information regarding an incident 136 Nautical Miles east of Al Mukalla, in the Gulf of Aden. A tanker initially broadcast a distress call on VHF Channel 16, reporting that it had been approached by an unauthorised vessel while transiting westbound. The tanker was later reportedly boarded by six armed persons, who took control of the vessel and redirected it towards Somalia
On 25 September, PMPF conducted a counter-piracy operation to release the vessel. The operation was successful, and all crewmembers were reported safe. Up to 21 suspected pirates were arrested, and during the operation, one pirate was killed, and four were injured, official sources said.
MT EUREKA piracy incident:
On 02 May 2026, MT EUREKA was hijacked while she was at anchorage off Qana Port, Shabwa, Yemen. Armed individuals boarded the vessel and took control.
On 29 September, the Pirate Action Group disembarked from the vessel and deliberately grounded the vessel south of Hafsun Peninsula. The same day, the crew disembarked to Hul-Canood, and they were later transported to Garowe. PMPF took over the vessel, which remains under their control.
The crew eventually took a flight from Mogadishu to each country of origin.
MT ASANA piracy incident:
On 17 July, at 65 Nautical Miles southwest of Mukalla, Yemen, north of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) was reportedly been hijacked by a Pirate Action Group (PAG) and is underway towards the Horn of Africa. Operation ATALANTA is investigating the incident and monitoring the vessel.
The vessel is currently reported to be inside Somali territorial waters and remains under the control of the Pirate Action Group.
