Pirates target Nordic tanker

A Nordic America Tanker Shipping suezmax has been attacked by pirates off Somalia, but looks to have emerged unscathed.

The attack on the 150,000-dwt tanker Nordic Apollo (built 2005) took place on Monday, but details of the incident have only just emerged.

The ship reported being fired upon around 8:40AM local time close to the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), just south of Yemen.

At about 11AM the US Navy destroyer USS Pinckney was authorized to investigate the incident after a second ship reported suspicious activity by a skiff in the same area.

The Nordic Apollo later confirmed the attack, but stated they no longer had sight of the skiff, according to reports from the US Navy.

However, a helicopter from the USS Pinckney was able to locate the skiff and observed nine suspected pirates and pirate paraphernalia on board.

The suspected pirates were seen attempting to cover their weapons with blankets and throwing the ladders overboard as Pinckney closed their position.

Intercepted by the helicopter and Pinckney, the skiff stopped and the suspected pirates threw their weapons, identified as five AK-47 rifles, one rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher and three RPG rounds, overboard.

Pinckney was given authorization to conduct a boarding using their visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team.

Once aboard, the team confirmed there were nine suspected pirates, one grappling hook, 36 barrels of fuel, and 75 and 45 horsepower outboard engines.

Reports say the VBSS team scuttled one outboard motor and left the skiff with enough fuel and water to return back to shore.

This is the second time in little more than a year that the Nordic Apollo has been attacked by pirates while sailing in the Gulf of Aden.

This time last year shots were fired at the Marshall Islands-registered ship in the IRTC, but continued its voyage to Singapore without damage or injuries to its crew.

Printable version Newsletter sign up