A major maritime security operation has been launched following a daring rescue of a large commercial tanker off the coast of Somalia, reports gCaptain.
Naval forces from India and a European Union anti-piracy mission have joined in intensified surveillance and tracking efforts to target a pirate action group believed responsible for recent attacks in the region.
The incident and immediate response
Last week, a tanker was attacked in the western Indian Ocean by armed assailants who boarded the vessel and threatened the crew. Thanks to rapid intervention by the EU naval force, the crew was safely freed and the vessel returned to safe waters under escort. The incident has renewed alarm about a resurgence of piracy off Somalia after years of relative calm.
Coordinated counter-piracy action
In response, the Indian Navy and EU forces have ramped up their presence in key shipping lanes and high-risk zones. A joint maritime surveillance operation is now underway, closely tracking what officials describe as a pirate action group (PAG) linked to the tanker assault. Although authorities emphasise there is currently no active threat to merchant vessels from this group, the objective is to disrupt any attempts at further hijackings or attacks.
Why the threat is rising again
Piracy off the Somali coast, which peaked in the early 2010s and then dropped significantly, appears to be re-emerging. Analysts point to several contributing factors: regional instability, diversion of naval assets to other hotspots, and opportunistic pirates exploiting less-guarded corridors. The recent tanker attack underscores how large vessels remain vulnerable and how the maritime domain requires renewed vigilance.
Implications for Shipping and Maritime Security
For the shipping industry, the renewed piracy threat raises several concerns:
- Risk of hijacking or ransom demands remains a serious possibility for vessels operating in or near the high-risk area.
- Insurance and security costs may rise as operators reassess threat levels and consider additional safeguards such as onboard protection, altered routing or speed increases.
- Naval cooperation and international response are taking centre stage again — the joint India-EU initiative highlights how maritime security has become a shared global concern.
- Crew welfare is also in focus: ensuring safe outcomes for seafarers under attack and maintaining confidence that naval forces will respond effectively.
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Source: gCaptain
