Piracy off Somalia was a significant issue during the early 21st century during the second phase of the Somali civil war. Between 2005 and 2010, the area of reported attacks extended from the Gulf of Aden and Somali coast out to the Arabian Sea and large portions of the Western Indian Ocean.

Up until recently, attacks had become less frequent due to military and governmental intervention and a general improvement in stability in Somalia. As such, in January 2023 the high-risk area (HRA) for the region was removed all together.

Coinciding with the Yemeni Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the piracy threat from Somalis appears to have re-emerged.

According to maritime security specialists Ambrey, the cause of this increase in activity is political instability in Puntland. In their ‘threat update’ of 2 February 2024, Ambrey provides the context to this instability, reporting that the President of Puntland sought re-election, instead of rotating the Presidency to another sub-clan. A consequence was the sub-clan’s lost revenue associated with fishing licensing, which is why this political crisis has also resulted in the hijacking and ransoming of licensed fishing dhows.

Location of attack

According to information from EU NAVFOR Operation Atlanta:

• it is highly probable that at least two Pirate Armed Groups (PAGs) possess both the intent and capability to seize opportunities for piracy attacks in the Indian Ocean

• one PAG has been partially neutralised when the hijacked trawler LORENZO PUTHA 04 was released by the Seychelles Coast Guard on 29 January.

• the likelihood of other PAGs being deployed in search of opportunities remains significant.

• the most likely scenario is that the pirates are operating from ‘Mother Boats’, searching for targets in areas where the sea conditions allow for boarding.

• these remote locations are also less likely to be patrolled by international forces.

• the pirates approach vessels to assess whether there is an armed security team on board.

• the outcome of the RUEN hijacking could be pivotal for the future of piracy, serving as a test to determine if piracy remains a profitable venture. Should piracy prove lucrative in this instance, the conclusion of the monsoon season may herald a resurgence in pirate activities.

The map shows confirmed cases of piracy are in red, which indicates several hijackings of fishing dhows in Somalia’s territorial waters, particularly in the Puntland Region. It remains uncertain whether these dhows will be used as mother boats to carry out piracy attacks against international shipping or if the incidents will be limited to armed robbery.

Maritime security measures

A thorough threat and risk assessment should continue to be conducted.

EUNAVFOR state that vessel registration remains of utmost importance for obtaining the most updated information and for promptly raising alerts in case of suspicious activities.

Despite the removal of the HRA in 2023, the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) administered by UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has not changed.

Ships entering the VRA are encouraged to report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa in accordance with Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea (BMP 5).

Maintain communication with MSCHOA and UKMTO to stay informed about potential threats and updates.

Security advice can be downloaded from the shipping industry’s Maritime Global Security website >

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) website maintains a summary of the latest incidents in the region >

Similarly, as list of attacks is maintained by the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa: LATEST NEWS, BULLETINS AND INFORMATION OF INTEREST FOR SEAFARERS (mschoa.org)