JidbaaleThe European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) has raised a warning after the departure of a suspected pirate action group (PAG) from Somalia’s northern-central coast, indicating a revival of piracy in the area. The PAG, comprising 13 armed pirates, departed Ceel Huur near Hobyo and is heading toward the Indian Ocean. All vessels are advised to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity, reinforcing concerns of a new wave of hijackings and assaults.
The last notable pirate action in the area occurred on June 7, 2024, when the Marshall Islands-flagged Pacific Honor was approached by suspicious boats. Martin Kelly, head of advice at EOS Risk Group, explains the timing: the end of the monsoon season offers pirates the chance to restart operations. The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) report from January to September 2024 demonstrates that, although worldwide piracy incidences have decreased to their lowest levels since 1994, Somali pirates remain active. Modern-day pirates are growing more sophisticated, seizing dhows and fishing boats, repurposing them as “mother ships” that can hit targets as far as 800 nautical miles offshore.
Somali piracy does not exist in isolation but is part of a larger regional problem that includes Houthi rebel assaults on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These assaults have prompted maritime corporations to detour around the Cape of Good Hope, adding thousands of nautical miles to their routes and boosting prices. Fewer ships are available for anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, enabling pirates to operate with fewer limitations.
