3 November 2025: A chemical tanker operated by Stolt Tankers came under fire from armed pirates off the Somali coast, but the vessel and crew remained unharmed after its onboard security team responded effectively.
Maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported that the Cayman Islands-flagged Stolt Sagaland was sailing approximately 332 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu, within the Somali Exclusive Economic Zone, when a skiff launched from a suspected mothership approached at around 04:45 hrs local time.
Four armed men aboard the skiff opened fire from the starboard side. The crew raised the alarm, increased speed, and carried out evasive maneuvers, while the ship’s armed security team returned fire, deterring the attackers.
No injuries or damage were reported, and the 44,000 dwt vessel, built in 2008, continued its voyage after the exchange. The Stolt Sagaland had departed Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and was en route to its next destination when the incident occurred.
The attack was confirmed by both the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and private maritime security firm Ambrey, which stated that the assailants came within 0.05 nautical miles before retreating to their mothership following warning shots.
Following the incident, the EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta raised its threat level in the region, assessing that an active Pirate Action Group (PAG) may be operating off the coast of Somalia. The group is believed to be linked to an Iranian dhow hijacked near Garacad the previous week.
Ambrey further noted that unusual dhow movements had been observed before the attack and warned of the “realistic possibility of further suspicious approaches.”
The event adds to a series of dhow hijackings by Somali nationals this year, which have raised concern over renewed pirate activity in the region. Dhows are frequently used as motherships to deploy smaller skiffs, extending attack range far from shore.
Between 2008 and 2011, Somali piracy posed a severe threat to international shipping, prompting global naval and regulatory responses after hundreds of attacks and hijackings.
