Maritime Industry Briefing: SPM Shipping Expands into Gas Sector as Piracy Resurges in Gulf of Aden

## SPM Shipping Enters Gas Sector with $91M VLGC Purchase Dubai-based SPM Shipping has taken another significant step in its rapid fleet expansion, acquiring its first very large gas carrier (VLGC) in a deal valued at $91 million, according to Splash247. The company has been identified as the buyer of Dorian LPG's 2015-built vessel *Clermont*, an 84,000 cubic metre VLGC constructed at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries in South Korea. The acquisition marks SPM Shipping's entry into the gas shipping segment, having already established a presence in both the capesize dry bulk and VLCC tanker markets within just a few years of commencing shipowning operations. The deal underscores continued investor appetite for gas tonnage amid sustained LPG trade flows, particularly on long-haul routes from the United States and Middle East Gulf to Asian import markets. For Dorian LPG, the sale of the *Clermont* represents a portfolio management move by one of the sector's established operators. SPM Shipping's swift diversification across multiple asset classes signals the ambitions of a new generation of Dubai-based shipowners seeking to build diversified fleets at pace. --- ## Sanctioned Tanker Seized in Gulf of Aden Amid Piracy Resurgence A US-sanctioned product tanker has been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and forced toward the Somali coast, marking the second reported vessel seizure in the region within a single week, Splash247 reports. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident occurred approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The seizure adds to mounting evidence that Somali piracy — largely suppressed through international naval operations in the early 2010s — is experiencing a renewed resurgence. The involvement of a sanctioned vessel adds a layer of complexity to the incident, potentially complicating international response efforts and raising questions about the operational patterns of vessels operating outside mainstream compliance frameworks. Shipping companies and fleet operators are urged to review their risk assessments for Gulf of Aden transits and ensure compliance with the latest UKMTO guidance. The Best Management Practices (BMP) framework remains the industry's primary tool for mitigating piracy exposure in high-risk areas. The back-to-back seizures this week will likely prompt renewed calls for enhanced naval presence in the corridor, which had already seen elevated tension in recent periods due to Houthi-related maritime security threats emanating from Yemen.