Somali pirates seize tanker from Iran's 'shadow fleet'
Somali pirates seized the oil tanker Sibu 1 in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel is under US sanctions for transporting Iranian petroleum products. Six armed men took control of the vessel and changed its course towards Somalia. This is the second successful vessel seizure in the region in four days.
This was reported by Reuters, citing maritime security services and regional officials.
The incident occurred on August 20, about 136 nautical miles, or approximately 250 km, east of the Yemeni port of Al Mukalla. The tanker was heading west through the Gulf of Aden when it reported an unknown vessel approaching and sent a distress signal.
Subsequently, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received confirmation that six armed men had boarded. They seized control of the tanker and directed it towards the coast of Somalia.
According to shipping monitoring services, after the attack, the tanker's AIS destination was changed to "PIRATE ONBOARD HELP".
There were 20 crew members on board the Sibu 1. Among them were 16 Indian nationals, as well as sailors from Syria, Sudan, and Iraq. Indian authorities reported on August 21 that their citizens are, according to available information, safe. There were no reports of injuries resulting from the seizure.
Tanker is under US sanctions
The Sibu 1 is also known as Seamull. It is a tanker for transporting oil products with a deadweight of about 32,000 tons, built in 2001.
In December 2025, the US Department of the Treasury added Seamull to the sanctions list along with other vessels that Washington classifies as part of the Iranian "shadow fleet".
The US Treasury stated that such vessels are used to transport Iranian oil and petroleum products using schemes intended to circumvent sanctions restrictions. Seamull was linked to the company Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management.
According to Reuters, oil shipment trackers also link the Sibu 1 to Iranian oil trade. The vessel has repeatedly delivered fuel to the Ras Issa terminal in Yemen, which is located in Houthi-controlled territory.
Pirates seized two ships in four days
The seizure of Sibu 1 was the second successful Somali pirate attack in just four days. On August 17, off the coast of Puntland, they captured the cargo ship Lutuf under the Cameroonian flag.
On board were ten people and a cargo of Turkish weapons, communications equipment, and satellite equipment destined for Mogadishu. Eight armed men boarded the vessel and headed for the coast of Somalia.
Overall, pirate activity off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden notably increased in 2026. According to maritime security specialists, at least 17 piracy-related incidents were recorded in the first five months alone, including hijackings of commercial ships and traditional sailing dhows.
Somali officials report that pirates are currently holding six vessels and more than 100 crew members. This recent series of successful hijackings has become one of the most intense in recent years.
The rise in pirate activity is occurring simultaneously with a sharp deterioration in the situation on major Middle Eastern sea routes. A significant portion of international naval forces is focused on threats in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz area, which, according to experts, creates additional opportunities for Somali pirate groups.
