Shipping

Unidentified bulk carrier boarded off Somalia, ongoing incident sparks investigation

The incident occurred about 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, and authorities are currently looking into it. The UKMTO did not disclose further details or the ship's name.

Maritime security expert Ambrey separately reported that a bulk carrier flying the Bangladesh flag was reportedly boarded while traveling north of Somalia. Ambrey observed the ship changing course to the southeast and speeding up, later slowing down to 1 knot.

Ambrey advised other merchant vessels to steer clear of the area, as the situation is ongoing, with perpetrators attempting to seize control of the bulk carrier.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia was a significant issue from 2008 for about four years, then became less prevalent for about five years.

However, recent incidents include the hijacking of an unnamed fishing dhow with 11 armed individuals onboard and the boarding of the Liberian-flagged capesize Lila Norfolk in January, which was later rescued by the Indian Navy, some 460 nautical miles off Somalia.