Somali pirates hijack second ship in a week

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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.

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.”

“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.”

“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.”