Suspected Somali pirates have seized a Tanzanian-flagged chemical tanker named MT ASANA in the Gulf of Aden.The incident occurred on Friday as the vessel departed Mukalla, Yemen.Seven armed pirates boarded the ship, which had no armed security team onboard and issued a distress call during the attack.By Sunday, local officials confirmed the tanker was moved to waters off Caluula in Somalia's Puntland region.Maritime security firm Ambrey reported the vessel's slow speed matched distress reports, indicating an attack.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) initially flagged the incident, noting unauthorized personnel boarded the ship 65 nautical miles south of Mukalla.Yemeni Coast Guard later placed the attack 26 nautical miles off Hadramout province.Tracking data showed the MT ASANA heading to Bosaso, Somalia, but no international naval intervention has been confirmed.The crew's condition remains unknown, and Puntland authorities have not commented on the hijacking.This incident highlights a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden after years of relative calm.A UKMTO advisory warned of elevated piracy risks with active pirate groups operating in the area.The MT ASANA remains off Puntland's coast with no further updates on crew safety or rescue efforts.