05 Jan 2024 | 01:14 PM UTC
Somalia: Heightened piracy threat in Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden likely to persist through late-January /update 2
Heightened piracy threat likely to persist in waters off Somalia through at least late-January. Several incidents reported.
A heightened threat of piracy is likely to remain in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden off Somalia through at least late January. Somali pirates have been implicated in three incidents targeting commercial shipping since late November. These consist of two hijackings in the Arabian Sea and one boarding in the Gulf of Aden. A number of Iranian fishing vessels have also been targeted. Despite at least one incident having an apparent connection with the ongoing insecurity in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea caused by Yemeni Al-Houthi rebels, the extent of the connection between the recent increase in incidents off the coast of Somalia and insecurity in the Red Sea remains unclear.
As of Jan 5, the following incidents have occurred:
Jan. 4: At least five unknown armed assailants reportedly boarded the Liberian-flagged Lila Norfolk cargo vessel approximately 460 NM (850 km, 530 miles) east of Eyl, Jan. 4. Reports suggest the crewmembers include at least 15 Indian nationals; Indian authorities have dispatched a military vessel to the area. Further information regarding the status of the crew, remains unclear.
Dec. 14: The cargo vessel Ruen was hijacked by six unknown assailants 700 NM east of Bossaso, Somalia. The vessel remains off the Somali province of Puntland as of Jan. 5. EU and Indian naval forces are monitoring the vessel. One crewmember was released to receive medical attention after being shot by the assailants. The status of the remaining 17 crew is unknown.
Nov. 26: Five armed individuals boarded the tanker Central Park in the Gulf of Aden. A US destroyer responded and arrested the perpetrators, who were found to be Somali. Following the incident, two ballistic missiles were launched from Al-Houthi-controlled territory in the direction of the vessels, impacting approximately 10 NM (19 km, 12 miles) away. No casualties or damage were reported.
In addition to attacks on international shipping, at least five Iranian fishing vessels have been hijacked. These attacks allegedly took place in response to illegal Iranian fishing in Somali waters threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen. The pirates have threatened to use these hijacked vessels as motherships to target other ships; one was subsequently sighted sailing northwards near the Yemeni coastline.
A heightened naval security presence is likely in the vicinity of the incident in the coming days. If confirmed as a piracy incident, further attacks and hijackings are possible.
Exercise a high degree of caution if operating in piracy-prone areas. Ship operators should implement best management practices (BMP5) to mitigate piracy-associated threats. Companies should regularly review their ship security assessment and plan under the International Ship and Facility Security Code (ISPS), particularly in piracy-prone areas. Companies are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all pirate activity, including both actual and attempted attacks, as well as suspicious sightings, to local and international naval authorities.
This spate of apparent piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia comes despite piracy numbers in the region declining significantly in recent years, with this decline demonstrated by the removal of the High Risk Area (HRA) in the waters off Somalia and the northern Indian Ocean by several insurers Jan. 1, 2023. The last successful hijacking prior to November 2023 took place in 2017, while the last attempt had occurred in 2019. Despite the lifting of the HRA, occasional incidents involving gunfire towards vessels and thefts have occurred, and the waters of the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and northwestern Indian Ocean remain in the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).
