The sanctioned product tanker Sibu 1, formerly known as Seamull, was hijacked by six armed men in the Gulf of Aden on August 20 and redirected toward Somalia.
The incident occurred approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, while the tanker was sailing west through the Gulf of Aden.
Before the boarding, the vessel transmitted a distress call on VHF Channel 16, reporting that an unauthorized craft was approaching. UK Maritime Trade Operations later confirmed through military sources that six armed individuals had boarded the tanker, taken control of the vessel and altered its course toward Somalia.
The condition and safety of the crew have not yet been officially confirmed.
Reports indicate that before losing control of the ship, the crew managed to change the vessel's AIS destination message to “PIRATE ONBOARD HELP”, providing a clear indication that the tanker had been seized.
The vessel, currently reported as Sibu 1 and previously operating under the name Seamull, has a complicated recent history. The tanker was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in December 2025 as part of measures targeting vessels involved in the transportation of Iranian petroleum products.
According to U.S. authorities, Seamull had transported Iranian petroleum products including naphtha and gasoil on multiple occasions and had also made calls at ports in Yemen controlled by the Houthis.
The latest hijacking has added to growing concerns over a renewed surge in Somali piracy across the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast.
Several commercial vessels have already been seized in the region during 2026. Among them are the Palau-flagged tanker Honour 25, the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo vessel Sward, the Togo-flagged tanker Eureka and the Tanzania-flagged chemical/product tanker Asana.
Earlier this week, the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel Lutuf was also hijacked off Somalia, further highlighting the deterioration of maritime security in the region.
With Sibu 1 now reportedly under the control of armed men, six commercial vessels are believed to be held by pirate groups in or near Somali waters.
Authorities continue to monitor the tanker and investigate the incident. Ships operating in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin have been advised to maintain heightened vigilance, review anti-piracy procedures and immediately report suspicious activity.
