Somali pirates hijack cargo ship in fifth attack since April

Somali pirates hijacked a cargo ship off the coast of Somalia on August 17, 2026, marking the fifth such attack since April of the same year, according to maritime security agencies. The general cargo vessel, Lutuf, a 1,401-deadweight-ton ship built in 1995, was boarded by eight armed men approximately four nautical miles south of Mareeyo.

The attack was confirmed by the vessel's company security officer and corroborated by the European Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa. However, the identity of the attackers and their demands remain unknown, as no group has publicly claimed responsibility. The crew's status is also unconfirmed; initial reports suggested they were safe, but this has not been verified by official maritime sources.