Yemeni coastguard said on July 17 the tanker Asana was reportedly hijacked in the Gulf of Aden about 26 nm off Hadramawt. The IMO 9035838 vessel, flagged to Tanzania and carrying oil and chemical products, was boarded by unauthorized persons while eastbound; there were no private armed guards on board and the ship issued a distress signal. AIS data show a marked course change toward Bosaso, Puntland. Yemeni authorities preliminarily judge the incident a pirate hijacking, possibly aimed at seizin

Yemeni coastguard said on July 17 the tanker Asana was reportedly hijacked in the Gulf of Aden about 26 nm off Hadramawt. The IMO 9035838 vessel, flagged to Tanzania and carrying oil and chemical products, was boarded by unauthorized persons while eastbound; there were no private armed guards on board and the ship issued a distress signal. AIS data show a marked course change toward Bosaso, Puntland. Yemeni authorities preliminarily judge the incident a pirate hijacking, possibly aimed at seizing the vessel and crew for ransom.