| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Africa Horn | |
| Pirates reportedly hijack Tanzania-flagged oil tanker off Puntland Coast | |
| 2026-07-26 | |
Text: Pirates Reportedly Hijack Tanzania-Flagged Oil Tanker off Puntland Coast A Tanzania-flagged oil tanker carrying 20 crew members, including eight German nationals and 10 Filipinos, has reportedly been hijacked by suspected pirates off the coast of Caluula district in Somalia’s northeastern Puntland region, according to Reuters. Initial reports indicate the vessel was seized while sailing near the Puntland coastline. The crew is said to consist of 20 personnel of multiple nationalities, including eight Germans and 10 Filipinos. The nationalities of the remaining two crew members were not immediately disclosed. More at the link
One of the sources speaking to Reuters who identified himself as a former pirate stated that there are 20 crew members on board, including eight German nationals and 10 Filipinos, with the remaining two believed to be from other countries. Another resident of the Alula district in the Bari region reported seeing armed pirates transporting food and other supplies to the ship, indicating that the vessel is being held near the Puntland coast. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had previously confirmed that the vessel was boarded by unidentified armed men while transiting the Gulf of Aden and subsequently diverted toward Somali waters; the incident was classified as a hijacking. This incident comes amidst a resurgence of Somali piracy targeting commercial vessels, following years of significantly reduced activity. Between 2008 and 2018, Somali pirates were notorious for hijacking international vessels and demanding multi-million dollar ransoms; however, joint operations involving Somalia and international naval forces significantly reduced these attacks. Nevertheless, since late 2023, there has been a resurgence of attacks in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden. Maritime security experts attribute this trend to a reduction in ship security measures, regional security conditions, and increased activity by armed groups exploiting this vital Horn of Africa waterway. So far, there has been no statement from the Somali government or the Puntland administration regarding the hijacking of the MT Asana, and the measures being planned to secure the release of the vessel and its crew remain unclear. | |
| Posted by:badanov |
| #1 |
| Posted by: DooDahMan 2026-07-26 11:07 |