Suspected pirates have hijacked a St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo vessel, the Sward, off the coast of Somalia, according to British maritime security groups Vanguard and Ambrey. This incident marks a resurgence of piracy in the region, which had seen a decline in activity after 2018. Reports indicate that the vessel was seized near Godobjiran, approximately six nautical miles northeast of Garacad.
The Sward was en route from Suez, Egypt, to Mombasa, Kenya, when it was boarded. The ship’s crew consists of 15 members, including two Indian nationals and 13 Syrians, all of whom were on the bridge at the time of the attack, except for two mechanics. Currently, the vessel is believed to be under pirate control and heading towards the Somali coastline.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force has been alerted regarding the situation. This incident follows a notable attack in November 2025, which was the first such event since 2024, highlighting the ongoing risks in the waters off the Horn of Africa.
