UK Maritime Body: Tanker Hijacked Off the Coast of Somalia
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker was hijacked off the coast of Somalia and taken into its territorial waters, heightening the risk to Red Sea shipping.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 01:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 26, 2026 at 01:31 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 26, 2026 at 01:33 (2 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA, Addis Ababa, 25th) The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime security agency, stated today that a tanker was hijacked off the coast of Somalia and brought into the country's territorial waters.
Agence France-Presse reported that this incident further increases the risk of navigating the Red Sea. Because Iran firmly controls the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, the importance of the Red Sea, also an energy supply route, has increased.
UKMTO pointed out that the tanker was hijacked northeast of Mareeyo, Somalia, on the 21st.
UKMTO stated: "Military authorities report that unauthorized persons seized control of the tanker, navigating it 77 nautical miles south within Somali territorial waters."
Somali authorities did not immediately respond to AFP's inquiry regarding the hijacking.
Somalia, a country in the Horn of Africa with unstable conditions, was previously a launching point for many pirate attacks, which peaked in 2011. With the European Union, India, and other global powers deploying naval missions in the area, such attacks have decreased in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, on the other side of the Gulf of Aden, the Iran-armed Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted commercial ships.
UKMTO stated on the 23rd that a fishing vessel flying the Somali flag was hijacked by 11 "armed men," and another group of armed men boarded a tanker carrying petroleum products.
UKMTO pointed out: "Combined, these incidents indicate a credible piracy threat." (Translated by: He Hongru) 1150426
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized publicly without authorization.
(CNA, Addis Ababa, 25th) The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime security agency, stated today that a tanker was hijacked off the coast of Somalia and brought into the country's territorial waters.
Agence France-Presse reported that this incident further increases the risk of navigating the Red Sea. Because Iran firmly controls the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Persian Gulf on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula, the importance of the Red Sea, also an energy supply route, has increased.
UKMTO pointed out that the tanker was hijacked northeast of Mareeyo, Somalia, on the 21st.
UKMTO stated: "Military authorities report that unauthorized persons seized control of the tanker, navigating it 77 nautical miles south within Somali territorial waters."
Somali authorities did not immediately respond to AFP's inquiry regarding the hijacking.
Somalia, a country in the Horn of Africa with unstable conditions, was previously a launching point for many pirate attacks, which peaked in 2011. With the European Union, India, and other global powers deploying naval missions in the area, such attacks have decreased in recent years.
Meanwhile, in Yemen, on the other side of the Gulf of Aden, the Iran-armed Houthi rebels have repeatedly targeted commercial ships.
UKMTO stated on the 23rd that a fishing vessel flying the Somali flag was hijacked by 11 "armed men," and another group of armed men boarded a tanker carrying petroleum products.
UKMTO pointed out: "Combined, these incidents indicate a credible piracy threat." (Translated by: He Hongru) 1150426
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship from you is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP to grasp the latest news instantly.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or utilized publicly without authorization.