Pirates have seized another vessel off the coast of Somalia, prompting maritime authorities to raise the threat level to "substantial." The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that unauthorized individuals took control of a cargo ship on Sunday and redirected it into Somali territorial waters, about six nautical miles from Garacad.
This hijacking is the fourth suspected piracy incident in the region within a week. Earlier, an oil tanker, the Honour 25, was taken on April 22 with 17 crew members aboard, including 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, an Indian, a Sri Lankan, and a Myanmar national. Pirates anchored that vessel near the coastal towns of Xaafun and Bunder Beyla. A Somali-flagged fishing vessel was also seized on Thursday, and two armed individuals attempted to board another cargo ship the same day but were repelled after crew members fired warning shots.
While piracy along this stretch of the Indian Ocean had nearly vanished three years ago, it has seen a troubling resurgence. The UKMTO advisory noted that weather conditions are favorable for small boat operations, urging vessels to transit with extreme caution.
Between 2005 and 2012, Somali pirates collected an estimated $339 million to $413 million in ransoms, according to the World Bank. The recent spate of attacks signals a potential return to those dangerous days.