The International Maritime Organization is calling for urgent action against a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, where six merchant ships and over 90 seafarers are being held captive.
Piracy Incidents
The warning comes after the August 20 hijacking of the tanker Seamull, also known as Sibu 1, the second vessel seized by suspected Somali pirates in a matter of days. The general cargo ship Lutuf was hijacked on August 17 after eight armed attackers boarded the vessel about four nautical miles south of Mareeyo on Somalia's Puntland coast.
The Joint Maritime Information Center said in its latest assessment that six merchant vessels remain in captivity in the region: Honour 25, Sward, Eureka, Asana, Lutuf and Seamull. The seizure of Seamull well out in the Gulf of Aden also shows that pirates remain capable of reaching ships beyond Somalia's immediate coastline.
Call to Action
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned that piracy risks being overlooked as governments and naval forces focus on other conflicts affecting shipping in the region. He urged flag and coastal states to ensure ships are prepared for the threat and called for continued use of industry best management practices and IMO security guidance.
Dominguez also called for renewed international naval cooperation, pointing to the coordinated effort that helped bring the previous Somali piracy crisis under control. The resurgence adds yet another security problem for ships operating across the Middle East and western Indian Ocean, where crews are already contending with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and the continuing disruption surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Typically, war-risk premiums and reroutings tend to increase in response to heightened piracy threats, as shipowners and charterers seek to mitigate risks to their vessels and crews.
Cover image: https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/index.html 海上自衛隊, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
