Indian Navy frigate foils piracy attempt on merchant vessel in Gulf of Aden

An Indian Navy frigate has intervened in a piracy attempt against the merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden, according to a statement from the navy. The bulk carrier, which is registered under the flag of St Vincent and the Grenadines, was travelling from Aden, Yemen, when it reported the attempted attack. The vessel was located about 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti.

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The navy said INS Trikand, a stealth frigate deployed in the area, was directed to intercept the ship after the alert was raised. A boarding team later carried out a detailed inspection of the vessel and said any immediate threat had been neutralised. The crew of 21, including one Indian national, took shelter in the ship's citadel during the incident and were reported safe.

The merchant vessel also reported damage to its bridge superstructure and adjacent compartments. On Thursday morning, naval personnel from INS Trikand embarked on MV Golden Arsenal to sanitise the ship and assess the situation. After a thorough search, no suspicious individuals were found on board, and the crew then exited the citadel and began an evaluation of the vessel's condition with navy personnel.

An Indian Navy P-8I maritime patrol aircraft was also deployed for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in the area. The navy said this helped strengthen maritime domain awareness and support the anti-piracy response. It added that anti-piracy operations by INS Trikand had concluded once the vessel was sanitised and the immediate threat was removed.

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The incident highlights the continuing security risks faced by commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden, a key route linking the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The area has long required naval patrols because of piracy threats, and the Indian Navy said it remains committed to safeguarding merchant shipping and seafarers in the region regardless of nationality. The response also reflects the role of naval escorts and patrol aircraft in responding quickly to distress calls at sea.

The navy said MV Golden Arsenal has since resumed its onward voyage. It also noted that between December 2023 and early 2024 it had foiled a series of piracy attempts and rescued several Iranian and Pakistani nationals who were part of crew members on other vessels. Since 2008, the Indian Navy has maintained deployments in the Gulf of Aden and off the east coast of Africa for anti-piracy duties, underlining the long-running nature of the mission.

What remains unclear is who carried out the attempted attack and whether any suspects were involved before the ship was searched. It is also not clear whether the damage reported to the bridge superstructure affected the vessel's schedule beyond the temporary interruption. Further details may emerge as naval assessments continue and as the ship proceeds on its voyage.

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