Suspected Pirates Board Greek-Managed Cargo Ship off Yemen

A Greek-managed cargo vessel was boarded by suspected pirates off the coast of Yemen on Thursday, adding to growing concerns over a significant resurgence in piracy across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

Early information released by the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean characterized the incident as a hijacking. However, later updates from UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicated that the attackers were unsuccessful in taking control of the vessel.

The ship involved has been identified as the Glamor, a 24,073 dwt handysize/general cargo vessel built in 1998. The 154-meter vessel is flagged in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and managed by Greek company Dolphin Seatrade.

At the time of the incident, the *Glamor *was sailing from Salalah toward Djibouti. UKMTO first received a report at 0900 UTC that an unidentified skiff was approaching a merchant vessel approximately 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla. The vessel was later boarded when it was around 38 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf.

As the attackers boarded the ship, the crew mustered inside the vessel’s citadel. UKMTO subsequently reported that the intruders were unable to gain control of the *Glamor *and eventually left the vessel. Following their departure, the ship resumed its voyage, with all crew members reported to be safe.

Assets assigned to the European Union’s Operation Atalanta are now investigating the incident.

The attack comes amid an increasingly concerning revival of Somali piracy in the region. Eight successful hijackings have been recorded since April, while pirates have once again demonstrated their ability to launch attacks considerable distances from shore.

Captured dhows and other vessels are also increasingly being used as motherships, enabling pirate groups to extend their operational range farther into the Indian Ocean.

At the same time, the wider regional security situation is becoming more complex. The boarding of the *Glamor *occurred as Houthi forces advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and captured Mokha, moving them closer to the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait.