The resurgence of Somali piracy has added to the instability in the region, with recent attacks on shipping vessels causing concern for maritime security. In addition to the activities of Somali pirates, the Houthis in Yemen have also been targeting ships, further disrupting marine traffic in the Red Sea.
One notable incident involved the hijacking of the Malta-flagged, Bulgarian-owned bulk carrier Ruen, which occurred last week. The vessel arrived off Bander Murcaayo in Puntland, Somalia over the weekend, prompting Bulgaria's prime minister to indicate that ransom negotiations are likely to commence soon in order to secure the release of the ship's crew.
The 18 crew members had sought refuge in the ship's citadel when the hijacking took place. However, the pirates managed to breach the citadel and compel the crew to navigate the ship to Somalia.
This recent hijacking marks the first instance of Somali piracy since the seizure of the Adis 13 in 2017. Security consultants have warned that further attacks on ships are being planned, indicating a potential resurgence of Somali piracy. Notably, Somali piracy was prevalent during a four-year period from 2008 to 2012.
The reemergence of piracy in the region poses a significant threat to maritime trade and security. International efforts will be required to address this issue and safeguard shipping lanes in the Red Sea and surrounding areas.
