Somalia: Pirates seize commercial cargo ship

Armed pirates seized an unnamed cargo ship off the coast of Somalia on Monday, according to international monitors. Both the UK Maritime Trade Operations and the EU Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean issued alerts notifying vessels to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity. The UKMTO post advised ships to transit with caution and indicated that the crew is reported safe at this time.

Piracy on the Horn of Africa had decreased since its peak in the 2010s, but a resurgence has been observed in 2026, with several ships, including three tankers carrying fertilizer and oil and a chemical tanker, being seized by pirates. These vessels are currently held off the Somali coast. The return of pirates to the region adds to the challenges faced by international shippers who are navigating through contested areas such as the Strait of Hormuz and dealing with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.