Bulk carrier ABDULLAH seized by pirates in the Indian Ocean

A British watchdog and maritime security firm Ambrey reported on Tuesday that a ship had been boarded off the coast of Somalia, with unauthorized individuals taking control of the vessel. The incident occurred 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Agency (UKMTO). Reports indicated that a group of people boarded the ship from both a small and large boat, with Ambrey noting that 20 armed individuals were involved on the Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier.

The ship was en route from Maputo, Mozambique, to Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates, when the incident occurred. There were conflicting reports regarding the crew, with some suggesting they were in a safe area on the vessel, while others indicated uncertainty about their whereabouts. If confirmed as a pirate attack, concerns about the resurgence of Somali piracy in the Indian Ocean may arise. The last reported hijacking by Somali pirates of a merchant vessel was in 2017, but recent incidents could indicate a potential return of piracy activities in the region.

Maritime security sources warned in December that the recent attack could be the first hijacking by Somali pirates since 2017, suggesting a possible resurgence of piracy in the area. The sources noted that pirates who were active in the region between 2008 and 2018 may have returned, possibly due to relaxed security measures or taking advantage of chaos caused by other regional conflicts. This incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the region and the potential risks faced by vessels navigating the waters near Somalia.

Source .