Somali Pirates Return After Five Years, Seizing Two Ships in Days

A sudden wave of hijackings off Somalia's coast shatters years of calm. Are shipping lanes facing a new era of danger? The attacks expose gaps in enforcement—and the high stakes for unprotected crews.

, and Administrator

2026 March 8 . 7:01 PM

1 min read

The image shows a black and white engraving of a ship in the ocean with mountains in the... — The image shows a black and white engraving of a ship in the ocean with mountains in the background. The ship is surrounded by trees, plants, and grass, and the sky is filled with clouds. At the bottom of the image, there is text which reads "Pirates of the Caribbean".

Somali Pirates Return After Five Years, Seizing Two Ships in Days

Somali pirates have struck again after a five-year break, raising concerns for global shipping. Two vessels were seized within days off the coast of central Somalia. The attacks mark a sudden return of piracy in an area once considered safer for merchant traffic.

The first watch occurred on March 13, when the Aris 13 became the first vessel covered by International Maritime Organization (IMO) rules to be hijacked since 2012. Before this, no successful pirate attacks had been recorded in the region for years, with fewer than ten attempted hijackings—most of them unsuccessful—reported up to 2026.

On April 1, an Indian-registered cargo dhow was taken near Hobyo, Somalia. Just three days later, a Pakistan-owned vessel, the Salama 1, suffered the same fate in the same waters. These events signal a renewed threat in an area where law enforcement struggles to maintain control.

The IMO advises ships to follow strict safety measures, including Best Management Practices, when navigating the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, the Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) office in Dubai serve as key contacts for vessels needing military support. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has called for stronger international cooperation to bring pirates to justice.

The recent hijackings end a long period of relative calm in Somali waters. With large stretches of coastline still unpatrolled, shipping companies face renewed risks. Authorities continue to push for stricter security protocols and global entry partnerships to counter the threat.