Armed assailants have taken control of the chemical tanker MT Asana off the southern coast of Yemen, maritime security sources report.
The vessel, which had listed the Somali port of Bosaso as its next destination, was boarded by Somali pirates who have seized the ship and its crew.
Earlier this year, Somali pirates demanded a $10 million ransom for the release of the tanker Eureka, which was seized in the Gulf of Aden in May.
The incident involves 20 crew members, including eight German nationals, according to reports from Bild.
The seizure marks a significant escalation in piracy activity in the region, raising immediate concerns for shipping routes through the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden.
This development comes amid ongoing security challenges in the region.
Earlier this year, Somali pirates demanded a $10 million ransom for the release of the tanker Eureka, which was seized in the Gulf of Aden in May.