The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced on Monday a new hijacking incident targeting a Cargo ship SWARD, IMO number 9174244 off the Somali coast . This development raises growing international concerns about the resurgence of maritime piracy in the strategic Horn of Africa region , a vital artery for global trade.
Details of the attack and takeover of the ship
The British authorities stated in an official statement that they had received a report of a serious security incident approximately six nautical miles northeast of the Garakad region of Somalia. The report confirmed that a group of unauthorized individuals boarded the vessel and took complete control. They then forced the crew to change course and sail into Somali territorial waters. This strengthens the hypothesis of a hijacking for the purpose of extortion or ransom.
Incidents escalate, raising fears of a return to the 2011 violence.
This incident comes just two days after the agency announced the hijacking of an oil tanker last Tuesday in the same area. This suggests a coordinated escalation in attacks.
Somalia, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, has a long history of piracy, which peaked in 2011. Since then, piracy has declined thanks to concerted international efforts, including the deployment of warships from the European Union and India.
The Puntland Maritime Police Force has also been established, and armed guards have been assigned to merchant ships.These successive incidents in recent months are raising serious concerns among global shipping companies. This is due to the breakdown of the maritime stability that prevailed over the past decade.
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