The vessel, which is operated by a British maritime agency, has been charged by attackers who fired machine guns and rockets on board off the Somali coast, according to the agency.

Latsco Marine management, a Greek shipping company, confirmed that a gasoline-carrying ship had been attacked and that all the 24 crew members were safe and accounted for, and that they were in constant contact with them.

An official of the maritime security company Diaplous, quoted by the Reuters news agency, says that the crew has sheltered themselves in the fortified safe room on the ship.

Reuters reports that the European Union naval forces that are in the region are called upon to assist.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the raid took place approximately 560 nautical miles south-east of the Somali city of Eyl.

“One of the little crafts came up to the Master of a vessel and told him. The small craft opened fire with small arms and RPGs on the vessel,” UKMTO released a statement.

Privately hired security company Ambrey indicated that the attackers were most likely the Somali pirates who have been operating in the area over the past few days.

Latsco says that the assault on the vessel registered in Malta took place at approximately 11:48 local time (08:48GMT).

It said that the relevant authorities were working with [Latsco] to ensure the safety and welfare of the crew, as the company had deployed its emergency response team.

The ship, which it called Hellas Aphrodite, had been completed in 2016, and was heading from Sikka, India, to Durban, South Africa, it said.

This attack is against a backdrop of piracy returning to the region, having reduced since it hit its peak over 10 years ago.

The International Maritime Bureau reported at least seven encounters last year and has already lost several fishing vessels this year to pirates.