Full Breakdown
Hijacking of M/T Eureka Highlights Resurgence of Somali Piracy
5/3/2026, 12:59:54 AM
Hijacking of M/T Eureka: Core Facts
On 2 May 2026, the Togolese-flagged oil tanker M/T Eureka, owned by a UAE firm, was seized off Yemen’s Shabwa province in the Gulf of Aden. Armed boarders took control and steered the vessel toward Somali waters; crew details remain undisclosed, cargo ?18,000 barrels.
Rising Piracy Amid Regional Shifts
Piracy off Somalia peaked in 2011 with over 200 attacks and $18 billion in losses, then fell to near-zero by 2014. Since late 2023, Houthi strikes on Red Sea shipping have drawn NATO and EU navies away, creating a “window of opportunity” for pirates. The Feb 2026 US-Israel war on Iran further strained patrols, spurring a resurgence that saw several hijackings in April and the May 2 seizure of M/T Eureka. Somalia’s 3,333-km coastline remains a hotspot for illicit maritime activity.
Key Actors
Key parties include the Yemen Coast Guard (internationally recognised government), Somali pirate cells operating from Qandala and Qana, the EU Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and its Operation Atalanta, UKMTO, and Puntland security officials monitoring coastal threats.
Timeline of Recent Hijackings
21 Apr 2026 – tanker with ~18,000 barrels hijacked near Somalia; 22 Apr 2026 – Honor 25 seized with 18,500 barrels; 2 May 2026 – M/T Eureka boarded off Yemen and headed to Somalia.
Official Statements & Responses
The Yemen Coast Guard said the tanker’s location is known and monitoring and recovery actions are under way. UKMTO warned vessels to transit with caution, labeling the threat “substantial.” EUNAVFOR cited a “window of opportunity” created by the Iran conflict. Puntland officials noted rising armed-group activity.
Criticism & Opposition
Puntland security officials warned the piracy crisis is “much worse than many realize,” blaming diverted naval patrols. Somali authorities and EUNAVFOR have yet to issue a coordinated response, drawing criticism of regional inaction.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Yemeni officials have not disclosed crew numbers or nationality, while Somali sources say the crew’s safety is unknown. Some analysts link the hijacking to the Feb 2026 US-Israel-Iran war; the Yemen Coast Guard reports no direct link. No group has claimed responsibility.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The location of the tanker has been determined, and work is underway to monitor it and take the necessary measures in an attempt to recover it and ensure the safety of its crew,” — Yemen Coast Guard.
- “The on-going crisis with the pirates is much worse than many realize.” — Puntland security official.
- “window of opportunity” — European Union naval forces.
- “substantial” — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
What’s Next
Yemen’s coast guard and international partners continue to track the M/T Eureka’s trajectory, while naval forces in the Gulf of Aden assess options for a possible interception and crew rescue.
