Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) raises concern over recent Somali piracy activity in the Indian Ocean.
The incidents
According to MSCHOA, based on recent incident data, 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, while one has been neutralized:
- The first incident occurred at coordinates 10°54’N 064°17’E on January 27th involving the vessel Waimea.
- The second incident took place at coordinates 05°30’N 065°48’E on January 24th involving the vessel, Adria.
- The third PAG was partially neutralized when the hijacked trawler Lorenzo Putha 04 was released by the Seychelles Coast Guard on January 29th, with probably up to 12 pirates on an unknown mother boat.
Considering the prevailing situation and the incomplete coverage of Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) in the Indian Ocean, the likelihood of other PAGs being deployed in search of opportunities remains significant. Therefore, vessel registration remains of utmost importance for obtaining the most updated information and for promptly raising alerts in case of suspicious activities.
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.
Piracy and armed robbery
The map also 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.
The hijacking of MV Ruen
The outcome of the Ruen case could be pivotal for the future of piracy, serving as a test to determine if piracy remains a profitable venture. To remind, the Maltese-flagged bulk carrier named MV Ruen was boarded by six unknown attackers on 14 December, likely Somali pirates, in the Arabian Sea. Should piracy prove lucrative in this instance, the conclusion of the monsoon season may herald a resurgence in pirate activities.
Recommendations
Vessels transiting through this area should consider adopting enhanced security measures (BMP5) and maintaining communication with MSCHOA and UKMTO to stay informed about potential threats and updates.