Somali Pirates Hijack 3 Ships as Thinner Patrols Expose Red Sea Rerouting
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · May 12
Somali Pirates Hijack 3 Ships as Thinner Patrols Expose Red Sea Rerouting
5 articles · Updated · DW (English) · May 12
Three vessels — the Honour 25, Eureka and cargo ship Sward — remained under pirate control as of May 8 after hijackings off Somalia and nearby Yemen in the past three weeks.
At least two Puntland-based groups are exploiting naval forces stretched by Hormuz and Red Sea crises, using seized dhows as mother ships to stay at sea for weeks and strike commercial traffic.
More ships are now passing Somalia because many Asia-Europe voyages already avoid the Red Sea and Suez, adding two to three weeks and exposing vessels that lack strong onboard security.
Shipping executives warn a broader piracy comeback could lift already-rising insurance and freight costs; the 2011 Somali piracy peak caused about $7 billion a year in economic damage.
U.S. cuts to nearly all non-security development aid to Somalia have also weakened coastal prevention networks, while maritime groups urge ships to avoid Somali waters or carry armed guards.
Did the suspension of US aid inadvertently create the perfect storm for piracy's return off the Horn of Africa?
With global navies distracted, are Somali pirates opening a new front in the war on global shipping?
How does a pirate 'stock exchange' in a failed state fund such sophisticated attacks on the high seas?
2026 Somali Piracy Surge: Severe Maritime Threats and the Global Supply Chain at Risk
Overview
As of May 8, 2026, maritime security in the Indian Ocean has sharply declined, with piracy threats escalating to a severe level. The Joint Maritime Information Centre raised the threat level after a string of attacks specifically targeted commercial shipping routes, including the hijacking of the tanker Honour 25 in April. This resurgence of Somali piracy, reminiscent of the 2008-2011 crisis, highlights an urgent need for heightened vigilance and coordinated international action. The severe designation underscores the critical period for maritime security, as disruptions threaten global trade and demand immediate, comprehensive responses from both regional and international actors.