Cargo vessel approached by unidentified skiff off Yemen amid piracy resurgence

September 14 ------ A cargo vessel was approached by an unidentified skiff approximately 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), as renewed Somali piracy activity continues to raise security concerns across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean.

UKMTO said it received the report from the vessel’s Company Security Officer at 0900 UTC. The CSO reported that the cargo vessel had been approached by an unidentified skiff. No further details were provided on the skiff or the circumstances of the approach, and there was no indication that the vessel was attacked, boarded or hijacked.

UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities investigate the incident. While UKMTO has not attributed the September 10 incident to Somali pirates, the location and nature of the approach come as authorities are already warning of renewed piracy activity across the wider region.

Figures from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) show that 13 piracy-related incidents were recorded in the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea and off the coast of Somalia during the first seven months of the year, signaling a renewed resurgence in maritime crime after several years of relatively low activity in the region.

"More than 90 innocent seafarers are now being held captive, their lives subject to constant uncertainty and threat, often with limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical support and other essential services. Behind each of them is a family enduring an unimaginable ordeal, with limited reliable information about their loved ones’ well-being. I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those being held captive," said Arsenio Dominguez highlighted in late August.

International naval forces and resources have been heavily engaged with threats in the Red Sea and, more recently, the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, creating greater opportunities for Somali pirate groups to operate. Recent assessments have warned that pirate networks are taking advantage of these security gaps to expand their activity.

Against this backdrop, the latest unidentified-skiff approach highlights the continuing need for heightened vigilance among commercial vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden and waters around Yemen.

Source: safety4sea.com