{"id":58737,"date":"2026-04-27T05:04:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T09:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/pirates-seize-another-vessel-off-somali-coast-as-threat-level-increased\/27\/04\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-04-27T05:04:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T09:04:43","slug":"pirates-seize-another-vessel-off-somali-coast-as-threat-level-increased","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/pirates-seize-another-vessel-off-somali-coast-as-threat-level-increased\/27\/04\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Pirates seize another vessel off Somali coast as threat level increased"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy.<\/p>\n

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to “substantial” as it reported “unauthorised persons” seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia’s territorial waters on Sunday.<\/p>\n

At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week including a fishing vessel and oil tanker.<\/p>\n

Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback.<\/p>\n

“Due to the increased threat of possible PAG (Pirate Action Group) activity, vessels are advised to transit with caution,” the UKMTO said in a statement, noting that weather is conducive to small boat operations.<\/p>\n

The hijacking on Sunday occurred six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, the UKMTO said in a statement. No further details were reported.<\/p>\n

The UKMTO also issued a warning over a separate hijacking off the coast of Mareeyo, northern Somalia which occurred on 21 April.<\/p>\n

Pirates also hijacked an oil tanker, Honour 25, with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast on 22 April, according to multiple security officials speaking to the BBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Under the control of the pirates, the vessel, with a crew of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar, anchored close to the Somali shore between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.<\/p>\n

The UKMTO also reported that a Somali-flagged fishing vessel had been seized on Thursday.<\/p>\n

At least two armed people also attempted to board a cargo ship from a small boat on Thursday, the UKMTO reported, although they turned away after the cargo’s crew fired warning shots.<\/p>\n

Between 2005 and 2012, pirates off the Horn of Africa raked in between $339m (\u00a3266m) and $413m (\u00a3325) by holding crew members hostage and demanding ransom payments, the World Bank has estimated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest