Increased threat of piracy off Somalia coast

Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy, reports BBC News. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to ‘substantial’ as it reported ‘unauthorised persons’ seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia's territorial waters on Sunday. At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the past week, including a fishing vessel and oil tanker. Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback. The hijacking on Sunday occurred six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, the UKMTO said. No further details were reported. The UKMTO also issued a warning over a separate hijacking off the coast of Mareeyo, northern Somalia which occurred on 21 April. Pirates also hijacked an oil tanker, Honour 25, with 17 crew that was sailing near the Somali coast on 22 April, according to multiple security officials.