Somalia: Pirates seize commercial cargo ship, crew safe

Mogadishu, Somalia – An armed group of eight pirates has seized a commercial cargo ship off the coast of Somalia, international maritime monitors reported Monday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the EU Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) issued alerts regarding the boarding of the vessel near the Horn of Africa.

While the crew is reported to be safe at this time, the UKMTO has advised all vessels transiting the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity. The incident highlights a concerning resurgence of piracy in the region, which had seen a significant decline after peaking around 2011.

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The crew is reported safe at this time.

2026 has witnessed an increase in piracy incidents, with several ships being captured in recent months. In April and May, three tankers carrying fertilizer and oil were seized, followed by the commandeering of a chemical tanker off the coast of Yemen in July. All these vessels are reportedly being held off the Somali coast.

The renewed piracy threat off the Horn of Africa complicates the already precarious situation for international shippers. Many are already rerouting vessels around Africa to avoid conflict zones in the Middle East, including the contested Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. The return of pirates adds another layer of risk to these longer, more costly journeys.

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transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.