All signs Somali Piracy is back on the increase in the Indian Ocean

• The MV Abdullah

The European Union’s anti-piracy naval mission, Operation ATALANTA, has confirmed details of the piracy incident involving the Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier MV Abdullah after it was captured in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday.

The ship was reported as being boarded by armed pirates while approximately 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, during a voyage from Mozambique to the UAE. EUNAVFOR’s Operation ATALANTA has been leading the response to the incident.

This comes amid fears that Somali Pirate activity is back on the increase, with fears that it may be in several dozens right now.

“The situation on board is that pirates have seized and taken its 23-member crew hostage. The crew is safe, and the action is still ongoing. The ship is sailing towards the Somali coast,” EUNAVFOR said in an update. The statement added that one ATALANTA ship is currently shadowing the pirate vessel.

Martin Kelly, Head of Advisory at EOS Risk Group, wrote on “X” that the MV Abdullah has entered Somalia’s exclusive economic zone. He says the ship’s course corresponds with the last reported position of the pirated MV Ruen, which was hijacked on December 14 in a similar area to the Abdullah.

According to media reports, the pirates have demanded a $5 million ransom the Abdullah’s release, threatening to start executing crew members if their demands are not met.

Authorities have warned for months that multiple pirate action groups are believed to be operating from motherships in the Indian Ocean, with an operational range of up to 1,000 nautical miles from Somalia. This revelation followed multiple hijackings of fishing dhows in the eastern Gulf of Aden and Somali basin in recent months.

The use of motherships to reach further offshore was a common tactic used by Somali pirates more than a decade ago.

These recent incidents seems to signal a resurgence of Somali-based piracy, further complicating shipping through the region as the Houthi terrorist group continues to attack merchant vessels in the Red Sea and western Gulf of Aden.

The hijacking of the Ruen in December marked the first successful hijacking of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2017. EU NAVFOR has suggested that the future of piracy in the region could hinge on the outcome of the case. If piracy proves profitable, it may spur a resurgence of pirate activities after monsoon season when conditions are more favorable for operating small craft.

EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains dedicated to securing maritime safety in the Western Indian Ocean, having been a key player in combating piracy for the past 15 years. They recommend that vessels traversing this area adopt enhanced security measures and maintain communication with MSCHOA and UKMTO for updates on potential threats.

A Malta-flagged bulk carrier RUEN which has been held by Somali pirates since being hijacked 14 December 2023 is reportedly sailing eastwards. No ransom is known to have been paid and Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa alleges that the vessel could be used as a mother ship for further attacks.

Meanwhile Puntland is stating that four Pirate Action Groups, comprising approximately 36 armed pirates, launched 4 skiffs from coast between Hobyo, Nugal and Mudug regions with intentions of hijacking Dhows for motherships.