In recent times, there has been a surge in attempted pirate attacks on merchant vessels in the Indian Ocean, marking the first time a cargo ship has been seized off Somalia since 2012. The Ruen, a 41,600 dwt dry bulk cargo ship owned and operated by Navigation Maritime Bulgare JSC (Navibulgar), remains in the clutches of Somali pirates after being captured in mid-December.

The Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has reported six confirmed cases of piracy and three attempted pirate attacks since the end of November. On November 26, 2023, the Liberian-flagged tanker Central Park, previously hijacked by pirates, was released by US forces. However, the bulk carrier “Ruen” seized in mid-December continues to be held off the coast of Somalia.

Confirmed piracy incidents occurred on January 4, 2024, involving the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Lila Norfolk, which was later released by the Indian Navy. An attempted hijacking transpired on January 27, 2024, involving the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Waimea, resulting in an exchange of fire between armed guards and the pirate vessel.

Suspected vessel approaches occurred on January 28, 2024, involving the US-flagged container ship MSC Clementina and on January 29, 2024, on the Panama-flagged tanker Panta Rei, with limited information available on these cases.

Naval forces in the Seychelles intervened to release two hijacked fishing vessels—one from Iran and another from Sri Lanka. The Indian Navy also played a role in resolving these incidents. The UKMTO reported an “aggressive approach” by a five-man vessel toward a ship northwest of Bosaso, Somalia, on January 28, 2024, prompting armed guards to fire warning shots.

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International security officials emphasize that the outcome of the MV RUEN case will be pivotal for the future of piracy, testing its viability as a profitable venture. These incidents unfold against the backdrop of heightened naval presence in the region, addressing Yemeni Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea.

The Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), a UN-appointed anti-piracy group, has called for an emergency UN meeting to discuss a coordinated response to the escalating piracy activities. The recent surge suggests a significant increase in piracy, with the Indian Ocean Commission expressing concern.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia was rampant from 2008 to 2012 before experiencing a dormancy period for about five years. The International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) annual report for 2023 recorded 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships, slightly higher than the 115 incidents reported in 2022.

The report highlights that 105 ships were boarded, nine faced attempted attacks, four were hijacked, and two were fired upon in 2023. The IMB emphasizes the importance of crew safety, drawing attention to the increase in crew members held hostage and kidnapped from 41 to 73 and from two to 14 in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, 10 crew members were threatened, four were injured, and one was assaulted in 2023.