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Jakob Paaske Larsen
Head of Maritime Safety & Security
Copenhagen, Denmark
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Will Somali pirates ramp up operations again?
Published: 05 November 2024
During 2023 and 2024 we have witnessed several attacks on shipping by Somali pirates. After a windy summer, the monsoon season is now coming to an end which increases the risk of renewed attacks by Somali pirates on merchant ships.
Merchant ships targeted by Somali pirates
The current spate of pirate activity off Somalia kicked off around November 2023. Since then, several merchant ships have faced pirate attacks and suspicious activity. One major incident involved the MV RUEN, attacked on 14 December. After the pirates held the crew captive, they attempted to use the RUEN as a "mothership" for further piracy operations. However, on 16 March, the Indian Navy intervened in a standoff, rescuing the crew and reclaiming the ship. Another incident occurred on 12 March when Somali pirates hijacked the MV ABDULLAH. After negotiations, a ransom of USD 5 million was paid on 14 April securing the release of the crew.
Fishing shows bear the brunt of Somali pirate attacks
While conventional merchant ships have been hit several times, the Somali pirates have also repeatedly targeted fishing dhows operating off the Somali coast. These attacks appear to be tied to tensions between Somali fishermen and foreign dhows involved in illegal fishing. Although these incidents do not directly affect large merchant ships, they have a concerning side effect: by honing their skills against dhows, Somali pirates may be better prepared to threaten conventional merchant vessels which constitute a more formidable target.
Are Somali pirates strengthening ties with Houthis?
Recent intelligence points to growing cooperation between Houthis in Yemen and several Somali groups, including terrorist organisations like Al Shabaab, ISIS, and Al Qaeda. Al Shabaab, in particular, appears to be engaging with Somali pirates to obtain a portion of ransom funds. This development, coupled with the end of the summer monsoon season, has raised concerns that piracy threats in the region could intensify.
Implications for the Shipping Industry
To help members assess the risks of Somali piracy, BIMCO has scheduled a webinar for Monday 18 November at 12:00 UTC. The webinar will feature an update from the EU Naval Forces’ intelligence branch and discuss effective strategies to safeguard against the growing piracy threat.
