The threat of Somali piracy is re-emerging in the Indian Ocean, with recent incidents highlighting the increasing sophistication and reach of pirate groups.

Yesterday’s hijacking of the Malta-flagged Hellas Aphrodite—carrying gasoline from India to South Africa—marked the first merchant vessel boarding of the year, with the ship still stationary and its crew reportedly sheltering in the citadel. A Spanish warship, Victoria, is on route with aerial surveillance coming from Japanese maritime patrols who have observed no activity, and no ransom demand has yet been made, suggesting pirates have yet to breach the vessel’s defences.

Recent activity points to reconstituted Puntland-based pirate action groups (PAGs) using hijacked fishing dhows as motherships, enabling attacks far offshore and well into the Indian Ocean, armed with RPGs and automatic weapons.

Boarding attempts, including one against the Stolt Sagaland earlier this week, demonstrate an aggressive shift. Incidents are occurring across a wide arc far out to sea reviving memories of more than a decade ago when Somali pirates created chaos by going on a protracted hijacking spree.

“Piracy activity off Somalia has flared sharply since late October,” security firm Dryad Global noted, while France’s Maritime Information Cooperation and Awareness Center described the pirates as “agile” and “determined”, able to move between large areas.

Maritime security group Neptune P2P Group said the use of small arms and RPG fire before boarding indicates a “confident and aggressive modus operandi”.

Greek company Latsco Marine Management confirmed a security incident on the Hellas Aphrodite (pictured) yesterday, noting all 24 crew are safe and accounted for. Emergency response measures are ongoing in close coordination with relevant authorities, but no operational details or updates will be released for security reasons. Reports suggest time is running out for the pirates to breach the citadel; should they fail, they may abscond with supplies or seek another target, potentially replenishing their mothership for extended operations.

Meanwhile, maritime security specialist Vanguard Tech reported that the Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier Al Thumama also faced a close encounter in the same region. The vessel, en route from Ras Laffan, Qatar, to Swinoujscie, Poland, via the Cape of Good Hope, was approached by a small craft with three persons onboard approximately 528 nautical miles southeast of Eyl, Somalia. The master reported that the tanker successfully outran the approaching skiff, which then returned to a suspected mothership identified as Issa Mohhamdi. Ships transiting the area have been urged to maintain heightened vigilance, as the same pirate action group is believed to be preparing for another attack.

Maritime security experts warn that the current spike in incidents could signal a prolonged period of threat. The use of motherships and coordinated attacks suggests growing pirate endurance and reach, underscored by recent successful and failed boardings.

Sam Chambers