Somali pirates have reportedly seized a Chinese fishing vessel off the northeastern coast of Somalia’s Puntland region, marking another incident in the resurgence of piracy in the area.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, which is monitoring the incident, confirmed that the vessel remains in Somali territorial waters and is under the control of armed pirates wielding AK-47s and machine guns. All 18 crew members aboard are reportedly unharmed.
“Following investigation, the event has been classified as an armed robbery at sea,” said EUNAVFOR ATALANTA officials, who are actively coordinating with Somali and Chinese authorities, as well as the EU Delegation to Somalia.
This latest hijacking is part of a broader uptick in Somali piracy that began in November 2023, coinciding with heightened insecurity in the Red Sea region following Houthi attacks.
Recent incidents have included multiple hijackings of fishing vessels and dhows, as well as two high-profile commercial ship seizures namely the MV Ruen, captured in December 2023 and held for three months before being rescued by the Indian Navy, and the MV Abdullah, hijacked in March and released in April after a reported ransom payment.
Intelligence reports from late October warned of a potential escalation, revealing that 13 heavily armed pirates equipped with AK-47s and RPGs had departed from the Ceel Huur area near Somalia’s Hobyo Port. Around the same time, the Chinese bulk carrier Huan Hang 99 reported a suspicious approach by five skiffs near Aden, Yemen.
The resurgence in piracy follows a period of relative calm in the region, largely due to seasonal monsoon conditions that made attacks difficult.
The latest hijacking, however, reflects renewed pirate activity now that weather conditions have improved.
According to EUNAVFOR, the region’s most recent hijacking before this incident occurred in May, involving the fishing vessel KHALIIJI.
EUNAVFOR emphasised its commitment to maintaining maritime security in collaboration with local and international partners as it monitors this developing situation.
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