Pirates operating off the Somali coast struck on the first day of the new year, firing at and attempting to board a fully-laden aframax tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

The India-owned, 92,687 dwt Abul Kalam Azad was headed for the Suez Canal with 40 crew members when gunmen gave chase and opened fire from two small vessels early Thursday.

A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) helicopter came to the tanker's rescue and the pirates eventually abandoned their attack.

“During the 40-minute combat, seven pirates on board the two skiffs were shooting rapidly at the tanker damaging the bridge, ship quarters and the radar,” an RMN commander was quoted saying.

According to Noel Choong, head of the anti-piracy International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur, the pirates were firing machine-guns [assault rifles] and made several attempts to board the aframax.

“The arrival of the chopper prompted the pirates, who were dressed in military-style uniforms, to flee the scene,” said Choong.

Choong said this incident brings the total number of pirate attacks in Somali waters to 112, with 42 vessels having been hijacked.

According to him, a total of 14 ships remain held by pirates, while over 214 crew members are being held hostage.