The Italian navy on Tuesday thwarted a pirate attack on an Italian ship in the Gulf of Aden, defense ministry sources said.
Pirates attacking the ship fled on the arrival of a helicopter and the frigate Maestrale, which was on patrol in the area.
The ship, the Neverland, belongs to the Finaval shipping company and was heading east towards India with its cargo of natural gas.
Last week suspected Somali pirates attacked the Italian container ship Jolly Smeralo three times in two days but the boat's crew was able to defend the ship using diversionary manoeuvres and a high-pressure salt-water hose.
Pirates have stepped up activity in Somali waters in recent weeks, capturing or attempting to capture dozens of foreign ships.
On April 25 the Italian-owned Melody cruise ship foiled an attack by suspected Somali pirates 200 miles north of the Seychelles using a salt-water hose to wash pirates off a ladder they were using to try to board the ship.
A third Italian ship, the Buccaneer, was seized in the Gulf of Aden on April 11. The ship's crew of 16, ten of whom are Italians, are still being held.
