Piracy Fears Rise off Somalia as Ship Seized, Threat Level Raised

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Maritime authorities have warned of a growing piracy threat off Somalia’s coast after a cargo vessel was seized in what is believed to be the latest in a series of attacks in the region.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said “unauthorised persons” boarded the ship and redirected it towards Somali territorial waters, prompting it to raise the threat level to “substantial”.

The incident occurred about six nautical miles off Garacad, a coastal town in central Somalia, according to a UKMTO statement. Further details on the vessel and crew were not immediately available.

At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents over the past week, including a fishing boat and an oil tanker, maritime security sources said.

In a separate alert, UKMTO reported another hijacking off the coast of Mareeyo in northern Somalia on April 21.

Security officials also said an oil tanker, Honour 25, carrying 17 crew members, was seized near the Somali coast on April 22.

UKMTO advised vessels transiting the المنطقة to exercise caution, warning that weather conditions are currently favourable for small boat operations often used by pirate groups.

Piracy off Somalia’s coast had largely declined in recent years following international naval patrols and improved security measures, but incidents have resurged since 2023, raising concerns among shipping operators.

The waters off Somalia were once among the world’s most dangerous for piracy, with dozens of hijackings reported annually at the peak of attacks more than a decade ago.