IMO Sounds Alarm as Somali Pirates Hold More Than 90 Seafarers

The International Maritime Organization has issued a call for immediate global intervention to address rising piracy in the Gulf of Aden. According to gCaptain, there are currently 90 seafarers and six merchant ships being held by armed groups. Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned that these waters are becoming increasingly hazardous for maritime workers, noting that the victims face constant threats and uncertain futures while in captivity.

Recent incidents include the August hijackings of the general cargo vessel Lutuf and the tanker Seamull. The Lutuf was boarded by eight armed individuals near the Somali coast, while the Seamull was intercepted by six men in the Gulf of Aden before being diverted toward Somalia. These vessels join four other ships, the Honour 25, Sward, Eureka, and Asana, which have all been seized by pirates since April.

The Joint Maritime Information Center has classified the threat in the Gulf of Aden as substantial, highlighting that pirates are successfully operating despite seasonal monsoon conditions. Officials noted that while international attention is currently divided by other regional conflicts, the return of Somali piracy requires renewed naval cooperation. Dominguez stated that the maritime industry must not allow this resurgence to go unaddressed while focusing on other tensions.

Security assessments indicate that attackers are capable of reaching vessels well beyond the immediate coastline of Somalia. The Seamull, which had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for transporting Iranian petroleum, managed to signal for help before its capture. The IMO is now urging flag states to strictly adhere to established security guidelines and best management practices to protect crews from further maritime abductions.