OperationsPiracy

UKMTO reports second Somali hijacking with vessel now deployed as pirate mothership

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a report advising another ship has been hijacked off Eyl in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland, the second attack in under two weeks.

The UKMTO is reporting the ship, as yet not named, is now acting like a mothership on the hunt for further attacks. UKMTO acts as voluntary reporting scheme for the Indian Ocean.

Eleven days ago the Aris 13 fuel tanker made headlines across the world becoming the first Somali hijacking since 2012.

Illegal fishing in the region has been cited as one of the main reasons for the sudden return of piracy to the Horn of Africa.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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