A new fleet of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, on Sunday to assume an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters. The 47th fleet includes a guided-missile destroyer, a missile frigate, and a supply vessel, carrying over 700 officers and soldiers, two helicopters, and more than 10 special force members.
The fleet’s mission comes at a time of heightened piracy concerns in Somali waters. The Wall Africa Journal reported on December 6 that armed pirates hijacked a Chinese fishing vessel with 18 crew members off the northeastern coast of Puntland. The pirates, armed with AK-47s and machine guns, seized the vessel, marking a resurgence of piracy after years of relative calm.
Prior to its deployment, the Chinese navy fleet underwent rigorous training focused on armed rescues, counter-terrorism, and anti-piracy operations, emphasizing the practical use of weapons. These preparations align with the urgent need for maritime security in the region.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), through Operation Atalanta, confirmed the hijacking and deployed naval assets near the vessel to monitor the situation. Somali and Chinese authorities are collaborating to resolve the crisis.
Hiiraan Online attributes the resurgence of piracy to shifting trade routes and reduced international naval patrols, while EUNAVFOR highlights the growing sophistication of pirate tactics, including using hijacked vessels as floating bases.
Increased maritime traffic in Somali waters, driven by conflicts in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, has made the region more vulnerable. Over the past year, EUNAVFOR has recorded 43 piracy-related incidents, including 27 confirmed attacks.
The Chinese navy’s ongoing missions, coupled with international efforts like Operation Atalanta, underscore the pressing need for enhanced naval patrols and long-term solutions addressing Somalia’s economic and governance challenges to ensure maritime safety.