Somalia piracy reaches highest levels since 2013

piracy Horn of Africa maritime security Gulf of Aden shipping lanes

Piracy activity near the Horn of Africa has seen a significant resurgence, reaching its highest levels since 2013. According to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at least 15 attacks have been recorded since the beginning of the year, with incidents occurring as far as 2,000 kilometers from Somalia.

The Gulf of Aden has emerged as a primary area of concern, with eight attacks reported since May alone. This surge in activity follows a period of relative calm, with only five incidents recorded in 2025. The increased maritime instability is occurring alongside disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz resulting from US-Iran tensions.

A major incident occurred on April 21, when approximately 30 pirates armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers attacked the 90-meter oil tanker Honour 25 north of Eyl. The pirates successfully seized control of the vessel and took 17 crew members hostage. The ship remains under pirate control.

Entities

Gulf of Aden · Honour 25 · International Maritime Organization · Somalia · Yemen

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[DISPUTED] At least 15 pirate attacks have been recorded since the beginning of the year. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Attacks have occurred at distances of up to 2,000 kilometers from Somalia. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Approximately 30 pirates attacked the oil tanker Honour 25 on April 21. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] The Honour 25 is a 90-meter long tanker. www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Piracy activity off the Horn of Africa has reached its highest level since 2013. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Eight attacks have been recorded in the Gulf of Aden since May. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[DISPUTED] There were five recorded pirate incidents in 2025. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The pirates took 17 crew members hostage from the Honour 25. www.businessdaily.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.newsbeast.gr

Sources

Σομαλία: Επανεμφάνιση επιθέσεων πειρατών το 2026 [www.businessdaily.gr]

about 3 hours ago

Συναγερμός στα νερά της Σομαλίας -Πολλαπλασιάζονται οι επιθέσεις πειρατών [www.iefimerida.gr]

about 1 hour ago

Νέα απειλή για τη ναυσιπλοΐα στα ανοικτά της Σομαλίας – Αναζωπύρωση της πειρατείας [www.newsbeast.gr]

about 1 hour ago