Pirates have boarded a Malta-flagged products tanker off Somalia, maritime security sources said on Thursday, while the vessel's manager said the ship's 24 crew members were safe.Attacks on vessels by armed assailants in recent
Pirates have boarded a Malta-flagged products tanker off Somalia, maritime security sources said on Thursday, while the vessel's manager said the ship's 24 crew members were safe.
Attacks on vessels by armed assailants in recent days have raised concerns for shipping lanes in a region across which critical energy and goods are transported to global markets.
The Hellas Aphrodite, which was carrying gasoline, was en route from India to South Africa when a "security incident" took place on Thursday morning, its Greek manager Latsco Marine Management said, without providing details.
The European Union's naval force said one of its assets was "close to the incident and closing distance, ready to take the appropriate actions to respond effectively to this piracy alert".
Earlier, maritime security firm Ambrey said pirates on a skiff had opened fire on the tanker. Maritime security sources said the pirates had also fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the vessel.
ALL CREW MEMBERS ARE SAFE, SAYS VESSEL'S MANAGER
The crew members took shelter in the ship's "citadel", or fortified safe room, and remain there, an official from maritime security company Diaplous said. Assistance has been sought from the EU's naval forces operating in the area.
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