Four vessels freed from Somali pirates as Asana remains hijacked

October 20 ------ The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA has closed four piracy cases involving vessels off the northern coast of Somalia, while the motor tanker Asana remains under the control of pirates in Somali territorial waters, according to an update issued on 16 October 2026.

The closed cases involve the motor tankers Honour 25, Eureka and Sibu 1, as well as the merchant vessel Sward. The incidents occurred between April and August 2026, with Operation ATALANTA coordinating with relevant authorities and companies to support the release of the vessels and their crews.

Throughout the incidents, ATALANTA also issued maritime security warnings through the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) to vessels sailing in the affected areas.

Five crew members killed during Honour 25 operation

The Honour 25 incident followed the hijacking of fishing vessel Alkhary 2 on 20 April. On 21 April, ATALANTA reported that Honour 25 had also been hijacked, with its last known position 28 nautical miles southeast of Alkhary 2. The fishing vessel was subsequently released with all crew members safe, while the pirate group remained aboard the tanker.

On 29 September, Puntland Maritime Police Forces (PMPF) launched an operation to free Honour 25. Five crew members were killed and two were injured during the counter-piracy operation, according to official sources. The injured crew members disembarked at Bander Beyla on 30 September, while the remaining crew members were taken ashore in Bosaso on 4 October.

ATALANTA’s flagship moved into the area to stand by to provide medical assistance and evacuate crew members if required.

Three other vessels released

The merchant vessel Sward was hijacked on 26 April while sailing to Mombasa, Kenya, before being taken into Somali territorial waters. On 11 September, the pirate group abandoned the vessel, and the crew was reported safe. Sward subsequently resumed its voyage, with ATALANTA providing support during its transit to the next port of call. The vessel has since arrived safely in Mombasa.

The tanker Sibu 1 was hijacked on 20 August, approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, after reporting that an unauthorized vessel had approached it while sailing westbound in the Gulf of Aden. Six armed individuals reportedly boarded the tanker and redirected it towards Somalia.

On 25 September, PMPF conducted a counter-piracy operation that secured the vessel and freed its crew. Up to 21 suspected pirates were arrested, while one pirate was killed and four others were injured during the operation, according to official sources.

Meanwhile, Eureka was hijacked on 2 May while anchored off Qana Port in Shabwa, Yemen. On 29 September, the pirate group left the vessel and deliberately grounded it south of the Hafsun Peninsula. The crew disembarked at Hul-Canood and was later transported to Garowe before travelling from Mogadishu to their respective countries of origin. PMPF took control of the vessel, which remains under its authority.

Asana case remains open

The motor tanker Asana was reportedly hijacked on 17 July, approximately 65 nautical miles southwest of Mukalla, Yemen, north of the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC). The vessel was subsequently reported to be heading towards the Horn of Africa. As of 16 October, Asana remained under the control of the pirate group and was reported to be inside Somali territorial waters. ATALANTA continues to investigate the incident and monitor the vessel.

The incidents highlight continuing piracy risks off Somalia and in the wider Gulf of Aden, as well as the potential for counter-piracy operations to expose crews to serious harm. They also underscore the importance of maritime security monitoring and coordination with regional authorities.

Source: safety4sea.com