PIRATE TERROR RETURNS : Two Ships Hijacked, 22 Indians Among Crew

New Delhi : A fresh wave of concern over maritime security has emerged after two commercial vessels were reportedly hijacked in separate incidents near Yemen and Somalia, with 22 Indian nationals among the crew members aboard the affected ships. The incidents have once again brought the threat of piracy in the waters surrounding the Horn of Africa, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea into sharp focus. Officials and maritime authorities are closely monitoring developments and efforts are underway to ascertain the exact status of the vessels and all crew members.

In the first reported incident, the Eritrean-flagged oil products tanker MT Sibu 1 was reportedly targeted by armed pirates in the Gulf of Aden, around 30 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast. The vessel was carrying a total crew of 20 members when it was allegedly intercepted and seized by six armed pirates. Maritime authorities have reported that all 20 crew members were safe, although further confirmation regarding the vessel’s current location and the condition of the crew is awaited.

The crew of MT Sibu 1 reportedly includes 16 Indian nationals, along with one Syrian, one Sudanese and one Iraqi national. The nationality of another crew member had not been confirmed at the time of the report. The presence of such a large number of Indian sailors on the vessel has prompted particular attention from Indian maritime authorities, who are expected to continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant agencies.

Authorities have also instructed the concerned recruitment and placement service agencies to immediately report developments and provide regular updates through the e-NAVIK online maritime incident reporting system. The system is being used to maintain communication and ensure that information regarding the vessel and its crew reaches the relevant authorities in a timely manner.
Sumit Kant Singh of SKS Krishiv Marine Services, which recruited four members of the crew, reportedly said that his company had submitted the required details of those sailors to the maritime authorities. Officials are continuing to gather information about the incident and assess the safety and whereabouts of everyone involved.

The second reported incident occurred separately in waters off Somalia, involving another commercial vessel carrying Indian nationals. Together, the two incidents have raised fresh concerns about the possible resurgence of piracy in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions. The waters around Somalia, the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa are crucial shipping routes connecting Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, making any security threat in the region a major concern for international shipping.

The latest developments have also renewed attention on the safety of Indian seafarers working on international commercial vessels. India has a large maritime workforce, with thousands of Indian sailors serving on ships operating across global shipping routes. Any pirate attack or hijacking involving Indian crew members therefore remains a matter of significant national and diplomatic concern.

Maritime authorities and security agencies are expected to continue assessing the situation while seeking further information about the two vessels. The immediate priority remains the safe return and protection of all crew members, while authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the reported hijackings and identify those responsible.