Somali piracy is showing fresh signs of resurgence in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region after a series of vessel hijackings that has left dozens of seafarers being held hostage. The International Maritime Organisation and the chair of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, on behalf of the signatory states, have condemned the resurgence of Somali piracy, with three vessels and 44 crew members currently held captive in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
A tanker has been held since 24 April 2026 with 17 crew onboard, who reportedly remain in captivity under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions and are in desperate need of assistance, according to the chair of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA), with onboard provisions now critically low.
The signatory states further expressed deep concern regarding the fate and wellbeing of the crew members onboard the other two vessels – one general cargo vessel, reportedly hijacked on April 26, 2026, with fifteen crew members onboard, and an oil tanker, reportedly hijacked on May 2, 2026, with twelve crew members onboard.
The statement, issued by the chair of the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, followed remarks by the IMO secretary-general at the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) highlighting the renewed threat of piracy and armed robbery against ships off the coast of Somalia.
“The current incident serves as a stark reminder that Somali piracy remains suppressed, but not eradicated, and that sustained international and regional cooperation remains essential to safeguarding freedom of navigation, protecting seafarers, and ensuring maritime security and stability in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden,” the statement read.
The chair noted the interventions delivered by several signatory states during MSC 111, including Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, South Africa, and others, which underscored the growing concern in the region regarding the resurgence of Somali piracy and the need for renewed international attention and operational responses.
The signatory states also noted the concerns raised by several other member states, as well as by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which called for stronger and more urgent measures to protect seafarers operating in high-risk maritime environments.
Despite the progress achieved in recent years, maritime security gains remain fragile and continue to require sustained vigilance, operational coordination, and collective international engagement.
The signatory states urged strengthened regional and international cooperation, full implementation of SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code, and enhanced reporting and information-sharing of piracy and armed robbery incidents.
They also called on governments, naval forces operating in the region, international organizations, and maritime security partners, to intensify efforts to secure the release of the crew members and prevent further acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
“Seafarers must never become collateral victims of geopolitical tensions, criminality, or delays in collective action,” the signatory states said, with the chair adding, “As chair of the DCoC/JA, South Africa wishes to emphasize that this situation is not solely a maritime security issue, but also a pressing humanitarian concern.”
“Practical solutions exist,” the chair said, but warned that “collective will” is required to implement them “urgently, decisively, and without delay.”
The Jeddah Amendment to the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC-JA) is a regional initiative to combat piracy, armed robbery against ships and other illicit maritime activities in the Western Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.
The DCoC-JA builds on the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC), adopted in 2009 to combat piracy and armed robbery against ships, and since 2017 has expanded its scope to address a wider range of illicit activities, including illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, arms and drug trafficking, illegal trade in wildlife, crude oil theft, human trafficking and smuggling and illegal dumping of toxic waste.
