A fuel tanker transiting the waters off Somalia’s northeastern coast has reportedly been hijacked by suspected Somali pirates, raising fresh concerns about maritime security along one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The vessel, which departed from the Puntland port of Bosaso, lost contact with maritime authorities shortly after crossing into deeper waters.
Security sources in the region said an armed group is believed to have boarded the tanker, though no formal ransom demand has yet been issued. Puntland maritime forces have launched a search and rescue operation in coordination with international naval vessels patrolling the area.
The incident marks a concerning uptick in pirate activity after a prolonged period of relative calm, and comes as global shipping companies reassess security protocols for vessels transiting the Horn of Africa. International naval forces have been alerted and are monitoring the situation.
