By Wasana Nadeeshani Sellahewa
(Commonwealth) _ A suspected group of Somali pirates has reportedly carried out a daring attack on a bulk carrier operated by the Bangladeshi shipping company SK Shipping Lines, a part of the KSRM Group. The vessel, now named Abdullah with a deadweight tonnage of 58,000, was acquired by the company in late 2023 from Japanese owners and had recently resumed sailing. The incident has raised concerns about maritime security in the region and the expanding operational reach of pirates, potentially affiliated with the Houthi in Yemen.
The vessel, built in 2015 and measuring 623 feet (190 meters), was sailing from Mozambique to the UAE when it was attacked. The attack occurred approximately 500 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, an area initially deemed low risk by the shipping company. However, the pirates’ actions suggest a possible expansion of their operational region, challenging existing risk assessments.
The circumstances surrounding the recent pirate attack on the bulk carrier Abdullah have been shrouded in limited details, but emerging reports suggest a harrowing situation. A crewmember, under duress from the unfolding events, managed to send distress messages to one of his instructors, shedding light on the severity of the incident. The crewmember also shared a video capturing the pirates’ approach, providing crucial evidence of the unfolding crisis.
Conflicting reports on the number of assailants have added to the uncertainty. According to the distressed crew member, as many as 50 pirates successfully boarded the ship. However, security services, responsible for assessing and responding to such incidents, estimate the number to be closer to 20. This disparity underscores the challenges faced in obtaining accurate information during rapidly evolving and high-stakes situations.
The crew, numbering 23 individuals, now finds themselves in a perilous situation, with concerns mounting about their safety. Reports suggest that the crew may have taken refuge in the citadel or their cabins to shield themselves from the pirates. The citadel is a secure space on board designed to provide a last line of defense for the crew in the event of a pirate attack, equipped with communication tools and provisions for survival.
The circumstances leading up to the attack indicate that the vessel’s journey, marked by a speed of under 10 knots, left it susceptible to piracy. Two boats, described as one small and the other larger, reportedly approached and successfully boarded the bulker. The slower speed of the vessel likely contributed to its vulnerability, providing pirates with an opportunity to carry out the attack.
The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVOR) Atalanta, responsible for monitoring the region, had previously issued warnings about increased pirate activity and heightened danger in the Indian Ocean. Since November 2023, the agency recorded 20 incidents, including the seizure of the bulker Ruen, which remains in Somalia, and attempts on the product tanker Central Park, with the attackers captured by U.S. forces. The bulker Lila Norfolk also faced a suspicious approach, but the Indian Navy successfully deterred the boarders and secured the vessel.
While the majority of incidents involved small fishing vessels, the hijacking of the Navibulgar vessel Ruen in December 2023 marked the first successful boarding of a large commercial vessel off Somalia since 2017. This event raises concerns about a potential resurgence in pirate activities in the region, prompting EUNAVOR to warn about the use of fishing boats as mother vessels to support attacks on commercial shipping.
The incident underscores the need for heightened maritime security measures, cooperative international efforts, and a reevaluation of risk assessments in the affected waters. As piracy threats evolve and expand, the safety of seafarers and the security of maritime trade routes become increasingly critical concerns for the shipping industry and international authorities alike
