Somali Pirates Hijack Another Vessel Near Garacad, UKMTO Issues Warning

A cargo ship has been taken over by suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia near Garacad.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report that unauthorised persons seized control of the vessel about six nautical miles northeast of Garacad at around 20:00 UTC on Sunday.

According to the agency, the ship was redirected into Somali territorial waters after being taken over.

The incident was reported by a third party at around 8 pm UTC, and a warning was issued shortly after 9 pm GMT.

UKMTO shared the alert through its official channels and advised ships passing through the area to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity while authorities look into the case.

No details have been shared about the vessel’s name, its cargo, or the crew on board. It is also not clear whether the attackers were armed. There have been no immediate reports of injuries.

The incident is the latest in a series of piracy-related cases off Somalia’s coast, especially around the Puntland region where Garacad is located.

The area has a history of pirate activity, and recent weeks have seen multiple reports of ships being targeted.

UKMTO has raised the threat level in the region to “substantial” and warned that current weather conditions are suitable for small boat operations, which are commonly used in such attacks.

Authorities are also looking into whether the latest hijacking is linked to Pirate Action Groups, often referred to as PAGs.

In the past week alone, at least four vessels have been involved in suspected piracy incidents. These include a fishing vessel and an oil tanker.

On April 22, pirates reportedly hijacked the oil tanker Honour 25, which had 17 crew members from Pakistan, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

The vessel was later seen anchored near the Somali coast between Xaafun and Bander Beyla while under pirate control.

Earlier, on April 21, another hijacking was reported off the coast of Mareeyo in northern Somalia. UKMTO also said a Somali-flagged fishing vessel was seized on Thursday.

In a separate incident on the same day, two armed individuals in a small boat approached a cargo ship and attempted to board it. The crew responded by firing warning shots, after which the attackers moved away.

Maritime security analysts have been tracking an increase in Somali pirate activity since late 2025.

Per reports, some groups are now using hijacked fishing vessels and dhows as motherships to launch attacks further out at sea.

Piracy in this region had reduced significantly over the past decade after international naval patrols and the use of armed guards on ships.

However, experts say reduced naval presence, ongoing instability in Somalia, and economic challenges in coastal areas are contributing to the rise in incidents again.

A recent report by marine insurer Skuld described the situation as a resurgence of Somali piracy and pointed to a new phase of risk in the Indian Ocean. The report also highlighted the role of organised pirate groups and changing tactics.

Shipping companies and insurers are now being advised to review their risk assessments, especially for routes passing through the Somali Basin and the Gulf of Aden, which remain key shipping lanes.

Between 2005 and 2012, Somali piracy brought in large ransom payments, with the World Bank estimating earnings between $339 million and $413 million during that period.

UKMTO has asked vessel operators to stay alert, follow safety guidelines, and keep reporting any unusual activity as authorities continue to monitor the situation.

References: BBC, Gulf News