Somali Piracy Re-emerges After Seven-Year Lull

By
Mfame Editor
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6

  • Long-Range Somali Pirate Attack Highlights Ongoing Risk.
  • Western Indian Ocean Sees Return of Somali Pirate Boardings.
  • Multinational Forces Respond to First Pirate Boarding in Seven Years.

On November 6, 2025, a merchant product tanker made headlines as the first ship successfully boarded by Somali pirates in the Western Indian Ocean Basin since 2018. This incident took place while the vessel was en route to southern Africa, over 700 nautical miles away from the Somali coast. It highlights that Somali piracy, while less frequent in recent years, still poses a real and present danger, reports Dryad Global.

Attack Details

During the attack, the pirates approached the tanker and opened fire, reportedly using an RPG. At that moment, there was no armed security team on board. The pirates managed to board the vessel successfully, but all 24 crew members quickly retreated to the citadel, which kept them safe from the attackers and protected the ship’s systems. After the boarding, the vessel was seen drifting, with its AIS either disabled or working intermittently, making it tough to assess the situation.

Multinational Response

The incident sparked a swift and coordinated international response:

  1. Maritime patrol aircraft from nearby navies began airborne surveillance on the same day.
  2. A European naval frigate, part of an international counter-piracy mission, was redirected to intercept the situation.

By November 7, naval forces had arrived and demonstrated a show of force using:

  1. Shipborne helicopters
  2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  3. A special operations boarding team

Under this sustained pressure, the group of pirates abandoned the vessel and fled towards a suspected mother dhow.

Crew and Vessel Secured

A thorough boarding and sweep by naval forces confirmed:

  1. No pirates were left on board
  2. All crew members were safe and unharmed
  3. The citadel was effectively utilised

Later that same day, the vessel continued its journey under temporary naval escort, while regional and international forces launched a wider operation to track down the fleeing pirates and their support vessels.

Why This Incident Matters

  1. First Successful Boarding Since 2018: This incident marks the first confirmed Somali pirate boarding in seven years, showing that while the threat has been reduced, it certainly hasn’t disappeared.
  2. Extreme-Range Pirate Operations: The location of the attack underscores the ongoing use of mother ships, which allows pirate groups to operate well beyond the usual coastal danger zones.
  3. Crew Preparedness Made the Difference: Thanks to proper citadel use, the crew was able to deny the pirates hostages and control, paving the way for a safe and measured naval response.
  4. Multinational Presence Remains Critical: The quick and coordinated response highlighted the ongoing necessity of international naval cooperation, maritime surveillance, and rapid intervention.

Implications for Shipowners and Operators

  1. Reassess voyage risk: It’s time to view Somali piracy as a rising threat rather than a thing of the past.
  2. Strengthen BMP compliance: Keeping up with effective watchkeeping, hardening, and citadel drills is still crucial.
  3. Review security posture: Think about implementing layered security measures based on your route and the level of threat.
  4. Prioritise intelligence-led planning: Having timely maritime intelligence is essential for minimising exposure and working effectively with naval forces.

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Source: Dryad Global