An oil tanker was hijacked on Saturday off the coast of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden and subsequently diverted towards Somalia, according to the Yemeni coast guard. The vessel, identified as the EUREKA, was reportedly seized near Yemen’s Shabwa province by unidentified assailants who boarded the ship, took control, and altered its course toward the Somali coastline.

The Yemeni coast guard, which operates under Yemen’s internationally recognized government, confirmed the incident but did not disclose details regarding the number or nationality of the crew members aboard the tanker. Authorities have stated that the tanker’s location has been identified and that efforts are underway to monitor the ship closely. Measures are being taken to recover the vessel and ensure the safety of those on board.

The EUREKA is a Togolese-flagged oil products tanker that was last documented at the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates in late March, according to maritime tracking services. The Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters are critical maritime routes for global trade, particularly oil shipments, making security in the area a priority for international stakeholders.

Piracy off the Somali coast saw its peak during the early 2000s, reaching a height in 2011 with hundreds of incidents recorded. International naval patrols and enhanced commercial shipping strategies had since significantly curbed pirate activities in the region. However, a recent report from the European Union naval mission operating near Somalia indicates a resurgence in attacks over the past weeks, suggesting a possible uptick in maritime security threats in the area.

The motivations behind the hijacking remain unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility. The Yemeni coast guard pledged a full investigation into the event, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced in securing shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden amid regional instability and resurgence in maritime crime.