Sponsored By

Seafarer injured in Somali pirate attack

Seventeen crew of a general cargoship Basilisk are safe after a pirate attack off Somalia.

Marcus Hand, Editor

May 24, 2024

1 Min Read
pirates 1
Photo: EU NAVFOR ATALANTA X Feed

EU NAVFOR operation ATALANTA said one its warships had secured the Liberian-flagged, 17,809 dwt, general cargo ship which was attacked on 23 May.

“The ship was attacked by suspected pirates yesterday 23 May whilst transiting the Indian Ocean, sailing approximately 380 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, heading North,” EU NAVFOR said.

An ATALANTA warship patrolling the region went to the aid of the Basilisk and boarded the vessel from a helicopter. During in the attack one crew member was injured and his condition was described as stable. He received medical attention from the EU Forces.

Throughout the operation ATALANTA was in constant contact with the vessel’s owner and flag state.

pirates-2.jpeg

It is the second attack in the region this month. EU forces handed over six suspected pirates involved in an attack on the Marshall Islands registered tanker Chrystal Arctic on 10 May to the authorities in Seychelles for prosecution.

There have been growing concerns over a resurgence of Somali piracy this year with EU NAVFOR saying that two or more pirate action groups are active in the area of Socotra Island and 500nm East of Socotra. Currently the threat is classified as moderate with an attack is a “realistic possibility” off the Somali coast.

Following the latest attack EU NAVFOR operation ATALANTA said it, “strongly recommends merchant and other vulnerable vessels to register in the Maritime Security Centre- Horn of Africa's Voluntary Registration Scheme, to provide the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.”

Related:Cargo ship in suspected piracy attack off Somalia

About the Author

Marcus Hand

Editor

Marcus Hand is the editor of Seatrade Maritime News and a dedicated maritime journalist with over two decades of experience covering the shipping industry in Asia.

Marcus is also an experienced industry commentator and has chaired many conferences and round tables. Before joining Seatrade at the beginning of 2010, Marcus worked for the shipping industry journal Lloyd's List for a decade and before that the Singapore Business Times covering shipping and aviation.

In November 2022, Marcus was announced as a member of the Board of Advisors to the Singapore Journal of Maritime Talent and Technology (SJMTT) to help bring together thought leadership around the key areas of talent and technology.

Marcus is the founder of the Seatrade Maritime Podcast that delivers commentary, opinions and conversations on shipping's most important topics.

Conferences & Webinars

Marcus Hand regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like