UKMTO Reports Merchant Vessel Boarded by Unauthorized Personnel in Gulf of Aden

LONDON, July 17: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Friday reported that a merchant vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel in the Gulf of Aden, as regional maritime security concerns continue to escalate.

In a separate advisory, UKMTO also said it was investigating an incident that occurred on July 15 involving a merchant tanker and military forces in the Persian Gulf.

According to the agency, the tanker was involved in interactions linked to ongoing military activity in the region. No further details were released regarding the nature of the encounter, and authorities are continuing their investigation.

UKMTO urged all vessels operating in the Gulf, Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters to closely monitor the latest maritime security advisories, maintain heightened vigilance and remain aware of the evolving operational environment amid increased regional tensions.

The agency did not immediately disclose whether there were any injuries, damage to the vessel, or disruptions to shipping resulting from either incident.