In a dramatic and coordinated international effort, the European Union Naval Force, known as Operation Atalanta, has seized an Iranian-flagged dhow that was hijacked and used by Somali pirates in a recent attack on a commercial oil products tanker off the coast of Somalia. The operation, which unfolded over the past week, marks a significant disruption of pirate activity in the region and has reignited global attention on the security of one of the world's most vital shipping corridors.
According to Reuters and multiple maritime security sources, the dhow—a traditional fishing vessel—was commandeered by pirates earlier this month and repurposed as a 'mothership' to launch an assault on the Maltese-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite. The tanker, carrying gasoline from India to South Africa, became the target of this audacious attack as it traversed the perilous waters off the Horn of Africa, an area that has long been plagued by piracy.
Operation Atalanta, which has been active since 2008 as part of international efforts to combat piracy and ensure maritime security along the strategically crucial trade routes off the Somali coast, acted swiftly once the dhow was abandoned by the pirates. The vessel was found on the northwestern coast of Somalia and was closely tracked and monitored by the operation’s flagship, the Spanish Navy ship ESPS Victoria, working in tandem with an Indian Navy warship. "The dhow, abandoned by the alleged pirates on the northwestern coast of Somalia, was closely tracked and monitored by the operation's flagship ... and an Indian Navy warship," Operation Atalanta said in a statement released on November 11, 2025, as reported by Caliber.Az and AFP.
The crew of the dhow, whose safety had been a concern during the ordeal, were found to be unharmed and in good condition. A medical team from Operation Atalanta boarded the dhow to conduct thorough checks, confirming that all crew members were safe and had not suffered any injuries during their captivity. "The crew of the dhow are safe and in good condition," the EU naval force confirmed, as cited by Reuters. The operation also involved collecting intelligence and evidence from both the dhow and the Hellas Aphrodite, which authorities say will be crucial for supporting legal proceedings against the suspected pirates.
The pirates' use of the dhow as a mothership highlights a familiar tactic in maritime crime, where smaller, more agile vessels are used to approach and board larger ships. In this case, the pirates managed to seize the dhow earlier in November and, within days, used it to successfully board the Hellas Aphrodite. However, thanks to the rapid response from the EU naval force, the tanker was secured on November 7, 2025, and the pirates were forced to abandon their mothership.
The operation’s success was not achieved in isolation. It was the product of extensive multinational cooperation, involving not just the Spanish and Indian navies, but also contributions from the Japanese P-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft, the Seychellois Air Force, Somali authorities, and the Puntland Federal Government. Operation Atalanta’s flagship, ESPS Victoria, deployed both its Special Operations Unit and advanced surveillance assets, including Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters, to maintain constant watch over the area and coordinate the pursuit. The ATALANTA Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft VIGMA D4 also played a key role in tracking the pirates’ movements.
The disruption of the pirate group responsible for the attack has been widely acknowledged as a significant achievement. "The pirate ... group operating in the area has been definitely disrupted," Operation Atalanta declared, as quoted by multiple outlets. The EU frigate’s capture of the mothership means that, for now, the gang that had wreaked havoc in the Indian Ocean last week can no longer threaten vessels in the open sea, according to reporting from Marine Insight and other maritime news sources.
This incident comes amid a recent resurgence in piracy off the Horn of Africa, with the attack on the Hellas Aphrodite representing the first by suspected Somali pirates in over a year. As reported by Reuters, this has rekindled concerns among shipping companies, insurers, and governments about the safety of vessels transiting a region that is essential for the movement of energy supplies and goods to global markets. The international community has long recognized the vulnerability of these shipping lanes, and the latest events underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and robust security measures.
Operation Atalanta has urged all merchant and vulnerable vessels operating in the region to register with the Maritime Security Centre, Indian Ocean’s (MSCHOA) Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS). This system enables enhanced monitoring and ensures a quicker response to maritime security threats in the Western Indian Ocean. The EU naval force continues to work closely with Somali authorities, including both the Federal Government and the Puntland Federal Government, to locate and apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the pirate attack.
Evidence gathered from the dhow and the Hellas Aphrodite is expected to play a pivotal role in future legal proceedings. Authorities are hopeful that the material will not only support prosecutions but also serve as a deterrent to other would-be pirates in the region. The successful operation has also been credited with boosting morale among international naval forces and reaffirming the importance of multinational collaboration in maintaining maritime security.
Despite the recent success, officials and experts caution that piracy remains an ever-present threat in the region. The resilience and adaptability of pirate groups, combined with the vast and difficult-to-patrol expanse of the Indian Ocean, mean that continued vigilance is essential. The EU’s Operation Atalanta, together with its international partners, remains committed to safeguarding the world’s shipping lanes and ensuring that incidents like the attack on the Hellas Aphrodite become increasingly rare.
For now, the seas off Somalia are a bit safer, thanks to the tireless work of Operation Atalanta and its partners. The world will be watching closely to see if this disruption marks a turning point in the fight against piracy, or if new threats will emerge on the horizon.
