MOGADISHU, July 9 (Xinhua) -- A global maritime watchdog on Thursday urged foreign shipmasters to maintain high vigilance while transiting the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden following a slight resurgence in piracy attacks during the first six months of 2026.
According to the mid-year report by the International Chamber of Commerce's International Maritime Bureau (IMB), Somali piracy remains a persistent threat despite a notable decline in global piracy incidents overall.
The report noted that four vessels were hijacked in the region between April and May, with additional attacks and suspicious vessel approaches reported as recently as June.
Somali pirates are typically heavily armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, often operating from skiffs launched from hijacked fishing vessels or dhows serving as "mother ships."
According to the IMB, shipping companies operating in the Indian Ocean have welcomed the recent decline in piracy, having previously paid exorbitant ransoms to secure the release of crews and vessels, although the threat remains.
It said only two piracy incidents were reported in the Gulf of Guinea during the first half of 2026 and commended the efforts of littoral states and regional partners to significantly strengthen maritime security in the area.
"While this progress is encouraging, IMB reiterates the need for continued patrols and regional cooperation to deter criminal activity and safeguard life at sea," it said.
According to the global anti-piracy watchdog, worldwide piracy and armed robbery at sea dropped to a 34-year low during the first half of 2026.
Yet the watchdog warned that there is no room for complacency, emphasizing that crew safety remains a major concern and that the recent uptick in Somali piracy highlights the need for sustained vigilance.
Between January and June, the incidents comprised 27 vessels boarded, five hijacked, three fired upon, and three attempted attacks.
According to the IMB, Somali pirates accounted for 94 percent of all hostages, underscoring their continued capability to board a wide range of vessels and highlighting the recent increase in activity off the Somali coast.
IMB Director Michael Howlett said reaching the lowest mid-year level of reported piracy since 1992 is highly encouraging.
He attributed this achievement to the sustained collaborative efforts of governments, law enforcement agencies, and the broader maritime community.
"However, crew safety remains at risk, and the slight uptick in Somali piracy is a reminder that continued vigilance and regional cooperation remain essential to protect seafarers, global shipping and trade," Howlett said.
He added that the IMB will continue urging shipmasters and operators to report all incidents promptly.
Maritime trade along Africa's Indian Ocean coast was previously hit hard by piracy, which drove up shipping costs as insurance companies and private maritime security firms raised their premiums to cover the risks.
Since Somali piracy operates primarily as a hijack-for-ransom business, it relies heavily on onshore logistical infrastructure. These coastal networks supply food, water, fuel, and khat, a leafy stimulant, to the armed men guarding hijacked vessels during prolonged ransom negotiations.
