A Chinese-owned fishing vessel, along with its 18 crew members, remains under the control of Somali pirates who are demanding a $10 million ransom. The hijacking, which took place on December 5 near Hafun in Puntland’s northeastern waters, has raised concerns about a resurgence in piracy. Shockingly, some of the pirates were previously hired as security for the vessel.
Despite ongoing efforts to negotiate the crew’s release, including a $1 million offer from a Somali company linked to the ship, the pirates have refused to accept the proposal. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) has classified the incident as “armed robbery at sea,” with naval assets now stationed nearby to monitor the situation and assist with negotiations.
Puntland’s administration has firmly rejected paying the ransom, with authorities considering the possibility of a rescue operation if peaceful resolutions fail. The pirates, aware of the presence of international naval forces and local coastguards, have been moving the vessel along the coastline to evade capture.
This incident is part of a broader trend in Somali piracy, which had decreased after heavy international patrols in the early 2010s but has seen a worrying uptick in recent months. According to Hiiraan Online, Somali waters have seen 43 piracy-related incidents since November 2023, underscoring the growing complexity and reach of Somali pirate operations.
Experts highlight Somalia’s ongoing economic instability, illegal fishing by foreign ships, and governance challenges as primary factors fueling the resurgence of piracy. Pirates are increasingly using hijacked vessels as bases to extend their attacks further offshore, posing significant risks to global shipping.