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After days of close monitoring, the Iranian-flagged dhow used as a mother ship in the piracy incident involving the merchant tanker Hellas Aphrodite was found abandoned on the northwestern coast of Somalia. The vessel had been tracked by the Operation ATALANTA flagship ESPS Victoria and an Indian Navy warship.
According to EUNAVFOR, the pirate action group (PAG) operating in the region has been effectively disrupted. ATALANTA forces boarded the dhow and conducted thorough searches to ensure the safety of its crew. A medical team examined the crewmembers and confirmed that they were all in good health and free from harm.
Investigators on board the dhow collected valuable intelligence and evidence related to the piracy incident. This information, together with material gathered from the Hellas Aphrodite, will be used to support the legal prosecution of those responsible. ATALANTA continues to work closely with the Federal Government of Somalia and the Puntland authorities to locate and apprehend the suspected pirates.
Hellas Aphrodite crew rescued as Somali piracy incidents surge
The operation was a result of strong multinational coordination, involving the ESPS Victoria—supported by its helicopter, uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), and Special Forces unit—along with an ATALANTA maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, an Indian Navy warship, a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft under the Combined Maritime Forces, the Seychellois Air Force, and Somali authorities.
EUNAVFOR’s Operation ATALANTA reaffirmed its commitment to maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean and urged all merchant and vulnerable vessels to register under the MSCIO’s Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS). This system enhances situational awareness and enables faster, more effective responses to piracy and other maritime threats.
