Shots fired toward tanker in renewed Somali piracy activity

A product tanker operated by Stolt Tankers sailing near the coast of Somalia is reporting shots fired and a possible boarding attempt. It is the latest in a series of suspicious activities being reported in the past few days, increasing fears of renewed piracy in the region.

Several security consultancies reported the incident, which was later confirmed by Stolt as well as the UK and EU forces in the region. The tanker Stolt Sagaland (44,000 dwt) was underway from Saudi Arabia to Africa when it was approached on Monday, November 3, while approximately 330 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu, Somalia. The vessel, registered in the Cayman Islands and built in 2008, is 182 meters (599.5 feet) in length.

The reports from the captain said that they spotted four individuals approaching in a small boat that they believed was attempting to board the tanker. The tanker increased speed and began evasive maneuvers, with reports of several shots fired from AK-47 type weapons. The private security force on the tanker returned fire, and the small boat withdrew.

Read more at The Maritime Executive