YEMEN — A bulk carrier was reportedly hijacked by a pirate action group on September 10 while operating south of Yemen, marking another piracy incident in the Gulf of Aden region. The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) reported that the vessel was hijacked approximately 38 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf, Yemen.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially received a report that the vessel was being approached while approximately 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. Authorities monitoring the area later reported that pirates had taken control of the vessel, while assets connected to the European Union’s Operation ATALANTA were investigating the incident.

Information regarding the crew, including their nationalities and current condition, remained limited as of the latest report. The incident comes amid renewed piracy activity in waters off Somalia and Yemen. The International Maritime Organization earlier called for stronger international action following a series of hijackings in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.

MSCIO recorded the latest case as the 25th piracy-related incident reported in 2026, a figure that includes hijackings, armed robberies and suspicious approaches involving commercial vessels. Maritime security authorities continue to advise vessels operating in the region, particularly within 150 nautical miles of the Somali coast between Mogadishu and Hafun, to maintain heightened vigilance and follow recommended maritime security measures.