EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta has confirmed that the bulk carrier MV Golden Arsenal is safe and has resumed navigation following a pirate attack approximately 110 nautical miles northeast of Bosaso, Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden.

According to Operation Atalanta’s Maritime Security Coordination Centre – Indian Ocean, armed individuals reportedly carrying assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades attacked the vessel on 1 July. The Master implemented Best Management Practices for Maritime Security, stopped the ship, activated the distress alert and directed the crew to muster in the citadel.

The alert triggered a coordinated response involving regional and international partners, including Combined Maritime Forces, the Republic of Korea Navy, the Indian Navy and the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region, alongside other maritime authorities.

A Republic of Korea Navy vessel initially headed towards Golden Arsenal. The Indian Navy frigate INS Trikand subsequently deployed a helicopter and boarding team. Indian naval personnel secured the bulk carrier, established that no pirates remained on board and helped the crew leave the citadel safely.

No injuries were reported. However, some equipment and structural damage was identified following the incident. Operation Atalanta maintained continuous contact with the vessel’s Master and the company security officer throughout the response.

The European Union naval mission praised the Indian Navy’s rapid intervention, describing it as critical to securing the vessel and protecting its crew. It also underlined the role of prompt incident reporting, compliance with BMP-MS procedures and multinational cooperation in responding to maritime security threats.

The incident comes amid renewed concern over Somali piracy. After almost a decade in which international naval patrols, security procedures and armed protection teams reduced successful hijackings to near zero, pirate groups have resumed offshore operations. The source reports that these groups are increasingly using hijacked dhows as motherships from which armed skiffs can operate farther into the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.

Operation Atalanta assesses that a pirate action group is likely operating in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor. A second attempted attack against another merchant vessel was also reported in the surrounding area. The mission said three piracy cases remain ongoing in the Somali Basin, involving the motor tankers Honour 25 and Eureka and the merchant vessel Sward.

Operation Atalanta is urging merchant ships and other vulnerable vessels in the region to maintain heightened vigilance, follow BMP-MS and register with the MSCIO Voluntary Registration Scheme. Registration is intended to support monitoring and facilitate a coordinated response by Atalanta forces and partner organisations.