Somali Piracy Is Again Becoming a Systemic Risk for Shipping
According to BIMCO, seven hijackings of cargo dhows, fishing dhows, and tankers have been recorded since the beginning of 2026. By early June, three vessels and their crews were reportedly being held off the Somali coast for ransom.
A dhow is a small traditional sailing and motor vessel widely used in the Arabian Sea, along the East African coast, in the Persian Gulf, and across the Indian Ocean.
The attacks are following a familiar pattern: hijacked dhows are being used as floating mother ships, allowing pirate groups to operate as far as 250 nautical miles from shore. At the same time, reduced naval presence in the region — due to the redeployment of forces to the Red Sea and the Middle East — has weakened the deterrence effect.
For shipowners, the renewed threat means revisiting routing decisions, strengthening watchkeeping, and strictly following BMP Maritime Security guidance. Particular attention should be paid to vessels with low freeboard, slow speed, and limited maneuverability.
Pirate activity may temporarily decline between June and August due to the southwest monsoon, but coastal areas are still expected to remain high-risk. The return of Somali piracy is a reminder that the threat was contained — but not eliminated.