Somali piracy resurgence: A new era of risk in the Indian Ocean

After several years of relative calm, piracy off the coast of Somalia has sharply resurged, with a series of coordinated attacks in the Somali Basin and western Indian Ocean since late October 2025. This escalation, culminating in the dramatic hijacking of the HELLAS APHRODITE on 6 November, has reignited concerns across the maritime industry and insurance sector. This article synthesises the latest intelligence from governmental and maritime security sources, providing context, analysis, and practical guidance for shipowners, operators, and P&I club members.

The recent spike: facts and timeline

According to Dryad Global and corroborated by UKMTO, MSCHOA, and multiple maritime news outlets, the resurgence began in late October with the mobilisation of Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) using hijacked dhows as motherships. These motherships have enabled pirates to project force far offshore - routinely 300 to 600 nautical miles from the Somali coast, with some incidents reported up to 800 nm.

Key incidents include:

6 November 2025

HELLAS APHRODITE (Malta-flagged, IMO 9722766) was boarded 560 nm southeast of Eyl. Pirates in a skiff, supported by a mothership, fired machine guns and RPGs before boarding. The 24 crew retreated to the citadel; EU NAVFOR Atalanta assets responded. The vessel, reportedly without armed security, was sailed towards the Somali coast.

Update on the fate of the vessel and crew:
As of 7 November 2025, all 24 crew members of the HELLAS APHRODITE are confirmed safe and sheltering in the vessel’s citadel, following BMP5 protocols. There have been no reports of injuries. The vessel, which was not carrying an armed security team, is reportedly under pirate control and being sailed towards the Somali coast. EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta assets, including the frigate ESPS Victoria, are actively responding and monitoring the situation. The ship’s manager, Latsco Marine Management, has confirmed ongoing contact with the crew and is coordinating with authorities to ensure their safety. The situation remains dynamic, with no confirmed rescue or release as of the latest updates from UKMTO, and EUNAVFOR.

3 November 2025

STOLT SAGALAND (Cayman Islands-flagged, IMO 9352200) was attacked 332 nm ESE of Mogadishu by four armed pirates in a skiff, supported by a mothership. The attack was repelled by evasive manoeuvres and return fire from the embarked security team.

2 November 2025

MV SPAR APUS (Norway-flagged, IMO 9734989) was approached by an AIS-disabled vessel 446 nm SE of Mogadishu. Evasive action deterred the approach.

28 October 2025

Somali authorities intercepted two erratic dhows south of Eyl, indicative of PAG mobilisation.

These incidents follow a pattern of pirates hijacking dhows for use as motherships, enabling long-range attacks with automatic weapons and RPGs.

Drivers and context

The resurgence is attributed to several converging factors:

• Diverted naval focus
  With international naval assets partly redirected to the Red Sea due to Houthi-related operations, pirates have exploited reduced patrols in the Somali Basin.
• Financial incentives
  Recent ransom payments, such as the reported USD 5 million for the release of the ABDULLAH in April 2024, have demonstrated the continued profitability of piracy, incentivising further attacks.
• Illegal fishing and local grievances
  Many dhow boardings are linked to disputes over illegal fishing, with some local communities expressing frustration over foreign exploitation of Somali waters.
• Organised crime and militant links
  Intelligence suggests growing links between pirate groups, al-Shabaab, and the Houthis, with pirates acting as proxies or fundraisers for militant groups.

Risk assessment and industry guidance

The latest threat assessments from Risk Intelligence and MSCHOA confirm that the piracy threat in the Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden is now elevated and unchanged, with pirates retaining the capability to board vessels up to 800 nm offshore. Most attacks remain opportunistic, but the use of motherships and automatic weapons marks a significant escalation.

Best Management Practices (BMP5) remain the industry standard for mitigating piracy risk. Dryad Global, UKMTO, and EUNAVFOR Atalanta recommend:

• Voyage registration
  Register with MSCHOA and submit daily UKMTO position reports.
• Physical hardening
  Implement razor wire, enhanced lighting, controlled access, and citadel readiness.
• Watchkeeping and manoeuvre
  Post additional lookouts, maintain engines ready for manoeuvre, and rehearse citadel entry.
• Security teams
  Consider embarking armed security in line with flag-state and charterer guidance.
• AIS and communications
  Manage AIS as per BMP5 and maintain redundant communications.
• Intelligence and routing
  Treat the offshore Somali Basin (SE/E of Somalia, out to >500 nm) as a heightened-risk area.

Broader security environment

The piracy threat is compounded by ongoing smuggling, arms trafficking, and the presence of irregular armed groups in the region. Merchant vessels may encounter small craft that are not necessarily pirates - fishermen, traders, or militia - but the risk of misidentification remains high.

Naval patrols, including EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta and the Indian Navy, continue to provide a deterrent, but the sheer scale of the area and the evolving tactics of pirate groups present ongoing challenges.

P&I perspective: Deterrence, safety, and risk management

For assureds, shipowners and operators, the resurgence of Somali piracy underscores the need for robust risk management and proactive loss prevention. Key recommendations include:

• Strict adherence to BMP5
  Compliance with industry best practices is essential for both safety and insurance coverage.
• Voyage planning
  Conduct thorough, voyage-specific threat assessments and ensure all crew are briefed on emergency procedures.
• Reporting and transparency
  Prompt reporting of incidents and suspicious activity to UKMTO and MSCHOA enhances collective security and enables rapid response.
• Insurance considerations
  Ensure that war risk and kidnap & ransom (K&R) coverages are up to date and reflect the current threat environment.
• Collaboration
  Engage with industry associations, naval forces, and intelligence providers to stay informed of the latest developments.

The return of Somali piracy is a stark reminder that maritime security threats are dynamic and require constant vigilance. While the industry has the tools and experience to manage these risks, complacency is not an option.

Annex:
Guidance and resources for Somali piracy risk management

In light of the recent resurgence in Somali piracy, assureds are strongly advised to consult and comply with the following official guidance and reporting protocols. These measures are essential for ensuring vessel safety, regulatory compliance, and maintaining insurance cover.

1. Best Management Practices (BMP) Maritime Security – 2025 Edition

• Role:
  The industry standard for mitigating piracy and armed robbery risks in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.
• Key Actions:
• Register with MSCHOA and submit daily position reports to UKMTO before and during transit in high-risk areas.
• Implement physical hardening (razor wire, enhanced lighting, citadel readiness).
• Maintain high situational awareness and conduct regular security drills.
• Follow the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) and report all suspicious activity.
• Access: BMP Maritime Security 2025 PDF
• Further info: IMO Piracy Guidance Portal

2. UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations)

• Role: Primary point of contact for merchant vessels in the region, facilitating incident reporting and liaison with military forces.
• Actions required:
• Register your voyage and submit daily position reports.
• Report any suspicious activity or incidents immediately.
• Contact details:
• Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org
• Phone: +44 (0)2392 222060 / +44 7779 966976 / +44 7585 795608
• Website: www.ukmto.org
• Recent Advisories: UKMTO Recent Incidents
• BMP Guidance: UKMTO BMP Guidance

3. MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa)

• Role: EU NAVFOR’s regional centre for vessel registration, threat bulletins, and incident reporting.
• Actions required:
• Register all transits through the Western Indian Ocean, Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea.
• Monitor and follow MSCHOA threat bulletins and updates.
• Contact Details:
• Email: postmaster@mschoa.org
• Phone: +33 298 220 220 or +33 298 220 170
• Website: https://www.mschoa.org/
• Threat Bulletins: MSCHOA Threat Bulletins

4. EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA

• Role: EU-led naval operation providing patrols, convoy escorts, and regular threat bulletins.
• Actions Required:
• Review and heed the latest Industry Releasable Threat Bulletins (IRTB).
• Avoid areas within a 100nm radius of recent piracy events.
• Threat Bulletins: Latest IRTB Example

5. Incident Reporting and Emergency Contacts

• Immediate Reporting:
• UKMTO: watchkeepers@ukmto.org | +44 (0)2392 222060
• MSCHOA: postmaster@mschoa.org | +33 298 220 220
• Voyage Registration:
• Register with both UKMTO and MSCHOA prior to entering high-risk areas.

6. Additional Resources

• IMO Piracy Guidance: IMO Piracy Guidance Portal
• Maritime Global Security: https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/

Assureds, shipowners and operators are reminded that adherence to these protocols is a matter of safety to the crew, vessel and the cargo. For further advice or support, please contact Skuld’s Loss Prevention team.