An AMISOM ship attacked by pirates. A shield freighter

Definitely! Hackers adapt quickly. They seem to have changed tactics compared to previous “seasons”. And we could even say that a new level has been reached in the “guerrilla war” which opposes them to merchant ships and warships in the Indian Ocean. They now use large captured cargo ships or oil tankers as an attack platform. And no longer just “small” mother boats such as whalers or dhows “borrowed” from Yemeni, Iranian, Somali or Egyptian fishermen. This was the case for the capture of the MV Polar. The adventure was repeated last Saturday (1), without success this time.

On the night of November 5 to 6, off the Somali coast, the pirates did not hesitate to use the MV Izumi, a Japanese cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag, captured on October 10 (2), to attack another merchant ship, the MV Petra 1, which cruised in the Indian Ocean. But the MV Petra 1 was carrying cargo for AMISOM (the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia) and therefore duly escorted (1). In this case, by the Spanish frigate, Infant Christina, which is part of the European anti-piracy force EUNAVFOR Atalanta.

In view of the attack, the frigate increased its speed and maneuvered to place itself between the attackers and the Petra 1, according to the European side. Several shots were exchanged. First of all, warning shots. The pirates were – it seems – not reluctant to use their favorite weapon: the rocket launcher. The Spanish responded with “ direct shots ", with " minimum force so as not to endanger the hostages » we assure Atalanta HQ. The pirates have fled. The Amisom ship was then able to continue its route to its destination (Mogadishu say the Europeans, Mombasa say the Spaniards!), without incident. No injuries were reported on the European side. We do not yet know, however, if there are losses on the Somali side.

This is the first time that an AMISOM ship has been attacked in this way while under escort. And, even if it is not proven that the pirates had wind of the name of the charterer of the Petra 1 (I have my doubts), we clearly feel that a new stage has been reached. It is indeed more difficult for multinational forces to fight against a large cargo ship, in the hands of pirates. The risk of damage is significant, whether human (the lives of the hostages), material (explosion or fire of the ship by direct fire) or environmental. Hackers may feel more invincible and limit their response. At the same time, maneuvering such ships requires real navigational knowledge if one does not obtain help from the captured crew (help given by force or… “conviction”). And he exposes the catches previously well protected in Somali ports. It could thus be a kind of game, dangerous, double or nothing!

(1) Read: A tanker captured east of Socotra

(2) Read: The MV Izumi captured by pirates

(3) For three years, AMISOM or WFP ships have been systematically accompanied by a warship.