Indian Ocean alert

Suspected pirate attack off Socotra Island.

Indian Ocean alert

While piracy off the coast of Somalia has largely been kept in check by naval forces like EUNAVFOR and the CMF and armed guards, this year has seen a significant increase in activity. As calmer weather returns to the Indian Ocean, warnings that pirates may put out to sea again have been confirmed.

UKMTO has today issued an alert for a suspected pirate attack off Socotra Island, Yemen. Although a third party report, UKMTO state that a vessel was attacked in position 11:50N-054:35E by pirates in a wooden vessel.

Merchant traffic should exercise extreme caution when transiting the area. The incident comes a few days after Yemeni fishermen seized an Iranian vessel in the region.