A chemical tanker operated by Stolt Tankers came under fire off the coast of Somalia this week, highlighting a concerning resurgence of piracy in the region after years of relative stability.

Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) indicated that the incident occurred approximately 330 nautical miles southeast of Mogadishu. The product tanker Stolt Sagaland was approached by a small skiff carrying four armed individuals who fired upon the vessel.

The tanker’s privately contracted armed security team responded by returning warning shots, forcing the attackers to retreat to a suspected mother vessel. No injuries or significant damage were reported, and the tanker continued its voyage safely.

Maritime security officials noted that the attack followed several other suspicious approaches in the same vicinity in recent days, including reports of a dhow hijacking and attempted boardings of other commercial vessels. Analysts suggest that the pattern reflects renewed activity from Somali pirate networks employing mother ships to extend their range into the Indian Ocean.

Piracy in Somali waters had declined significantly since international naval interventions and the adoption of Best Management Practices (BMP5) across the shipping industry in the early 2010s. However, the latest incident demonstrates that the threat remains active, particularly amid regional instability and economic challenges driving maritime crime.

The UKMTO has urged vessels transiting the western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to maintain heightened vigilance, employ recommended security measures, and promptly report any suspicious activity.

This resurgence of piracy serves as a reminder to maritime stakeholders that the waters off Somalia continue to pose risks, despite the years of reduced incidents. Enhanced coordination between ship operators, naval forces, and regional authorities remains essential to ensuring maritime safety in the area.