UAE Tanker Eureka Hijacked Off Yemen Shabwa Coast, Diverted to Somali Waters

Unidentified armed assailants boarded and seized control of UAE-owned oil tanker M/T Eureka off Yemen's Shabwa province coast, Yemen's Coast Guard reports. The vessel, departed Fujairah 8 days prior and anchored near Mukalla 2 days ago, now heads Gulf of Aden direction toward Somali waters.

This incident elevates Red Sea/GoA risks amid Hormuz closure forcing reroutes. Fox News confirms hijacking off Yemen coast into Somali waters; Yemeni authorities track but response unclear. Vessel type unspecified but oil cargo confirmed, crew status unknown—no ReCAAP/IMB alert yet, signaling possible local actor over Houthis.

Distortion: Shabwa (southeastern Yemen) falls outside core Houthi zones, suggesting non-militant piracy resurgence or tribal opportunism exploiting chaos. Vs Q1 2026 ReCAAP: 12 incidents Indian Ocean, up 20% YoY; no bulk/oil tankers affected then. Eureka breaks pattern—first reported oil tanker seizure post-Hormuz crisis.

Implications cascade to P&I and operators: war-risk extensions now mandatory GoA; elevated premiums for UAE-flagged exposed. Crew impact acute—MLC repatriation stalled if vessel held. Insurers face total loss exposure sans ransom precedent here.

Forward: Monitor UKMTO/UKMTO for EUREKA position; Somali pirate mothership mobilization signals; IMB trend update May. If ransomed, expect copycats targeting rerouted tankers; operators accelerate armed guards, citadels despite STCW hesitancy.