In Nairobi, the European Union’s anti-piracy naval force successfully freed the Liberia-flagged merchant vessel Basilisk from pirates near Somalia, safeguarding its 17 crew members.
The Basilisk was traveling from Cape Verde to the United Arab Emirates when it was attacked by pirates in two small boats about 380 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu on May 23. The crew sought refuge in the ship’s citadel, a secure emergency area, while the vessel floated. The captain, who did not reach the citadel, was shot in the arm but suffered non-life-threatening wounds.
In a swift response, the EU Naval Force (EU NavFor) Operation Atalanta dispatched a warship that arrived by night. Commandos boarded the Basilisk using fast-rope techniques from a helicopter, securing the ship and tending to the injured crew member, who is now stable.
“The crew’s quick retreat to the citadel prevented the pirates from taking over the vessel,” a spokesperson from maritime security firm Ambrey remarked. “The pirates fled before the military forces arrived.”
Operation Atalanta has underlined the necessity for ships to register with the Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa’s Voluntary Registration Scheme, which improves monitoring and response capabilities in the area.
The attack on the Basilisk is part of a troubling resurgence in Somali piracy. Recent incidents include the hijacking of the Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker Chrystal Arctic, where pirates clashed with the ship’s security team before being captured by EU forces.
Since December, two merchant vessels, the MV Ruen and the MV Abdulla, were hijacked. The former was rescued by the Indian Navy, while the latter was released following a ransom payment. Several smaller fishing boats have also been targeted.
The EU NavFor has reported that multiple pirate groups are currently active off the Somali coast, exploiting the tumultuous conditions around the Horn of Africa. The revival of piracy poses a significant threat to maritime security in the region.
