The Puntland Maritime Police Forces (PMPF) successfully rescued an oil tanker from Somali pirates following a fierce firefight off the coast of the Mudug region, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries. The tanker, named MT SIBU 1, was intercepted by security forces between the coastal towns of Garacad and Hobyo.
This Eritrea-flagged vessel, operated by UAE-based Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management, was hijacked on August 20, 2026, near Yemen, approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla. It was carrying a crew of 20 members, which included 16 Indian nationals and four Arab crew members.
The MT SIBU 1 had previously faced sanctions from the US government for allegedly being part of an illicit “shadow fleet” engaged in transporting oil products from blacklisted Iranian ports. Efforts by US authorities to intercept or monitor the tanker had proven unsuccessful, as the vessel employed evasive maneuvers and conducted illicit ship-to-ship transfers.
Following the rescue operation, Puntland authorities confirmed that both the tanker and its crew are now secure.
