NAIROBI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Successful counter measures by the Panama-flagged container ship helped beat off pirate attack near Yemen-Somalia border early Friday, the European Union Naval Force said.

The Naval Force Commander John Harbour said the MV Nada which is registered with MSCHOA was reporting to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He said the attack on the MV NADA, Panama flagged with a crew of 24 (nationality unknown) and deadweight of 35,100 tonnes, occurred approximately 100 nautical miles east of Socatra," Harbour said. "The ship, which increased speed and conducted other best management practices with appropriate counter maneuvers, are now safe. It is understood that all the crew are safe and well," Harbour said.

The Horn of Africa nation's coastline is considered one of the world's most dangerous stretches of water because of piracy.

Somalia is at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, which leads to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, one of the world's most important shipping channels.

The country has been plagued by factional fighting between warlords and hasn't had a functioning central administration since the 1991 ouster of former dictator Mohammed Siad Barre.