UK maritime security agency warns of possible piracy in Gulf of Aden

UK maritime security agency warns of possible piracy in Gulf of Aden

The advisory comes amid a resurgence of Somali piracy, with hijackings off the Horn of Africa renewing concerns about the safety of seafarers and the security of commercial shipping.

Ships sailing through the Gulf of Aden have been warned of possible pirate activity after suspicious boats were spotted near merchant vessels on Wednesday, raising fresh concerns about maritime security along a key international shipping route.

The Gulf of Aden lies between Yemen and Somalia, running along Somalia’s northern coastline. It connects the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, providing a key route for commercial ships travelling between Asia and Europe. Somali pirates have historically targeted merchant vessels passing through the waters.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued the advisory after receiving reports from multiple sources of suspicious small craft operating in the area. One report, UKMTO said, described a green and blue boat carrying nine people and equipped with two ladders and a hook, raising concerns that those aboard could be preparing to board a vessel.

According to UKMTO, the sightings could be linked to pirate activity, although it did not report any confirmed attack or boarding.

“UKMTO has received reports from various sources of suspicious activity within the Gulf of Aden, potentially indicative of Pirate Action Group activity,” the agency said.

Further, UKMTO urged vessels passing through the area to remain vigilant, follow established maritime security guidance and report suspicious activity.

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“Vessels transiting the area are advised to transit with caution, follow guidance written in BMP MS and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the agency said.

The advisory comes amid a resurgence of Somali piracy, with hijackings off the Horn of Africa renewing concerns about the safety of seafarers and the security of commercial shipping.

In August, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) reported that six vessels had been seized by pirates and armed robbers in the region between April and August 2026, leaving more than 90 seafarers in captivity. The latest seizure involved the Seamull, which was hijacked on August 20.

The threat has also proved deadly. In September, five crew members died during an operation to free the hijacked tanker Honour 25. In an update published on October 2, the IMO said 22 seafarers remained captive aboard another hijacked vessel, the Asana.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which monitors piracy and armed robbery against ships, reported on October 15 that Somali pirates had hijacked eight vessels between January and September 2026.

The hijackings accounted for 94 per cent of crew members taken hostage worldwide during the period. Globally, 105 crew members were affected by piracy and armed robbery, up from 72 in the same period in 2025, even as the total number of reported incidents fell from 116 to 51 during the period.