Pirates seize another ship off Somali coast as threat level rises
Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to shipping off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to “substantial” as it reported “unauthorized persons” seized the vessel and redirected it to Somali territorial waters on Sunday.
At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents over the past week, including a fishing boat and an oil tanker.
Until three years ago, piracy had virtually disappeared in this part of the Indian Ocean once known for its hijackings, but it has since made a comeback.
“Due to the increased threat of possible PAG (Pirate Action Group) activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution,” the UKMTO said in a statement, noting that weather conditions are conducive to small boat operations.
The hijacking took place six nautical miles off the coast of Garacad, Somalia, on Sunday, the UKMTO said in a statement. No further details were reported.
The UKMTO also issued a warning regarding another diversion off the coast of Mareeyo, northern Somalia, which occurred on April 21.
Pirates also hijacked an oil tanker, the Honor 25, with 17 crew members, which was sailing near the coast of Somalia on April 22, according to several security officials speaking to the BBC.
Under the control of pirates, the ship, with a crew of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, an Indian, a Sri Lankan and a Burmese, anchored near the Somali coast between the fishing villages of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.
The UKMTO reported that a Somali-flagged fishing vessel and oil tanker were seized on Thursday.
At least two armed people also tried to board a cargo ship from a small boat on Thursday, the UKMTO reported, although they turned away after the cargo ship’s crew fired warning shots.
Between 2005 and 2012, pirates off the Horn of Africa raked in between $339 million (£266 million) and $413 million (£325 million) by holding crew members hostage and demanding ransom payments, the World Bank has estimated.