A tanker has been boarded by six armed individuals who took control of the vessel off the coast of Yemen and diverted it towards Somalia, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre.

The incident occurred 136 nautical miles east of Yemen’s Al Mukalla on Thursday, when the Seamull tanker, also known as SIBU 1, broadcast a distress call indicating it was being approached by an unauthorized vessel while traveling westwards in the Gulf of Aden.

UKMTO confirmed the boarding in a statement, noting that the tanker was being "redirecting to Somalia." Authorities are investigating the incident, and vessels in the area have been advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity. The security monitor provided no further details on the status of the tanker or its crew.

The seizure of the SIBU 1 occurs in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, connecting the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, a critical route for global trade. Approximately 12-15% of global trade by value and about 30% of container traffic pass through the Suez Canal annually.

This event marks a resurgence in Somali piracy, which had been largely dormant for over a decade. Since April, there has been a noticeable increase in pirate activity. Currently, at least five other cargo ships are being held, including an oil tanker seized in July off Yemen's Hadramout province.

Somali pirates were responsible for over 1,000 attacks between 2005 and 2012, with estimated ransom payments around $400 million. International naval deployments and enhanced security measures for commercial shipping significantly curbed hijackings, with piracy activity all but ending by 2013.

Analysts suggest that naval forces are currently stretched thin due to ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. This situation has led international vessels to reroute, potentially moving closer to Somali waters, and has been cited as a contributing factor to the renewed threat of piracy in the region.

The renewed instability in Somalia and the redeployment of naval assets for other geopolitical concerns may be creating opportunities for pirate groups to re-emerge. The long-term implications for maritime security in the region remain a significant concern.