Tanker security team repels approach by small boats in Gulf of Aden

On a recent date at 10:19 UTC, a tanker transiting the Gulf of Aden reported an suspicious encounter with six small speedboats. The incident occurred approximately 50 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen, within the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), one of the small boats approached the vessel to within five cables, or approximately 900 meters, on the starboard side. The armed security team aboard the tanker fired warning shots, which caused the boat to withdraw. The remaining five vessels remained at a distance of about one nautical mile throughout the event. No injuries or damage to the tanker were reported following the confrontation. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, though no direct link to Houthi rebels has been established. Commercial vessels in the region are advised to maintain high vigilance and strictly follow Best Management Practices (BMP) to mitigate risks.