Rumors are circulating about a pirate mothership sighted in the Indian Ocean, around 1,000 km from Somalia. Seagull Maritime Security reported the mothership sighting around 650 km east of Socotra Island.
The warning from Seagull Maritime stated that shipping companies should stay vigilant and bolster security measures while reporting any suspicious activities promptly. This incident coincides with an increase in Houthi attacks in the area.
Captain Rahul Khanna, global head of marine risk consulting at Allianz Commercial, expressed concerns that pirates might take advantage of the situation in the Red Sea for extortion and piracy activities.
Somali pirates made headlines recently by releasing a hijacked Bangladeshi ship, Abdullah, and its crew of 23 after a $5m ransom was paid. The ship was taken in March during a trip from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.
After six years of silence, Somali pirates resurfaced by targeting multiple vessels. Naval forces successfully rescued fishing boats seized by gunmen and prevented other attacks. Indian commandos also recaptured the Maltese-flagged Ruen in December, freeing all 17 hostages.
Due to increased security risks in merchant shipping, the demand for private maritime security guards has surged, leading to higher prices this year. A recent analysis from Splash Extra noted a significant rise in costs for armed guards onboard, with many former soldiers seeking to capitalize on this opportunity.
