On May 20, 2026, the South Korean supertanker Universal Winner commenced its inaugural journey through the Strait of Hormuz, carrying Kuwaiti crude oil. Two Chinese supertankers, Ocean Lily and Yuan Gui Yang, also navigated the strait, amid rising tensions and fears stemming from a previous attack on HMM’s vessels.
Negotiations are ongoing between a local representative for a Chinese fishing vessel and tribal elders representing pirates who seized the boat off the coast of Somalia. The demand for the release of the crew members is now set at $10 million, with reports suggesting possible inside involvement in the incident. EU forces are investigating the situation.
EUNAVFOR Atalanta, the EU mission in the Horn of Africa, confirms armed pirates boarded a Chinese fishing vessel in Somali waters, classifying it as armed robbery at sea. With no injuries reported, Atalanta is monitoring the situation and collaborating with Somali and Chinese authorities to address the heightened piracy threats in the region.
