Owners have been warned to be vigilant after Somali pirates attacked a merchant vessel for the first time in two and a half years.

European naval force EUNavfor confirmed the 52,000-dwt Offen Tankers chemical carrier CPO Korea (built 2009) was approached off the country’s coast on 22 October.

Operation commander Major General Rob Magowan said the vessel was attacked by six armed men 330 miles from land.

“During