The MV Powerful is a Danish-flagged cargo ship owned by Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. of Greece.

It was attacked with the intention of hijack by Somali pirates using assault rifles on 11 November 2008 in the Gulf of Aden off the Horn of Africa.

The pirates approached the vessel in a dhow, but were repelled by helicopters from the British and possibly Russian ships.

The dhow was later detected by the Cumberland, and a unit of Royal Marines gave chase in a rigid craft.

The engagement was attributed to Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa and was described by The Times as "the first time the Royal Navy had been engaged in a fatal shoot-out on the high seas in living memory.