Piracy is again a ‘substantial’ threat to commercial shipping.
There are dangers in many sea passages and conflict hot-spots, such as the Black Sea – because of the Russia-Ukraine War – or in the Strait of Hormuz – because of the US-Israel-Iran war.
But now, the region of the ‘Horn of Africa’ is back in the news, as the old scourge of the Somali pirates are back in action, having hijacked two cargo ships in a week.
Two large commercial vessels in the past week have now been Hijacked my Somali pirates this time today near Garacad Somalia.
— WarMonitor
(@WarMonitor3) April 26, 2026
(@WarMonitor3) Reuters reported:
“Suspected pirates have boarded a St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged general cargo vessel off Somalia’s waters and were sailing it towards the Somali coastline, British maritime security groups Vanguard and Ambrey said.”
Indian Navy MARCOS (Marine Commandos) captured 35 Somali pirates during anti pirates operation.
– @WarFlash_2630 pic.twitter.com/4Rsn4X15tw
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) April 19, 2026
“Somali pirates caused havoc in the waters off the Horn of Africa nation’s long coastline between 2008 and 2018. After a lull, pirate activity started to pick up again in late 2023.
Vanguard said in a note late on Sunday it was aware of reports that armed pirates had hijacked the vessel, Sward, in the vicinity of Godobjiran, Somalia. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident occurred 6 nautical miles north-east of Garacad, describing it as a hijack.”
SOMALI PIRATES HIJACK OIL TANKER AS PIRACY RETURNS TO REGION
Armed pirates seized the tanker Honour off Puntland, holding 17 crew members and 18,500 barrels of fuel.
The vessel is being held near the Somali coast while negotiations and rescue efforts are underway.
Rising fuel… pic.twitter.com/PtmC0WeMf1
— NewsForce (@Newsforce) April 27, 2026
“The vessel is currently assessed to be under pirate control and proceeding toward the Somali coastline. The Puntland Maritime Police Force has been notified,” it said.
Ambrey said in a separate statement the vessel had been sailing to Mombasa, Kenya from Suez, Egypt at the time it was boarded. All the crew were on the bridge except two mechanics, Ambrey said.”
Suspected pirates have hijacked two ships off the eastern coast of Somalia, according to the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations.
And there was an attempted hijacking in the same place last week.
Maritime security has now increased the threat level to “substantial” and has warned… pic.twitter.com/ojwzkZs3Zx
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) April 27, 2026
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