Full Breakdown
Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Honour 25 Carrying 18,500 Barrels of Fuel
4/26/2026, 6:44:14 AM
Hijacking of the Oil Tanker Honour 25
On 25 April 2026 the oil tanker Honour 25 was seized off Somalia’s northeastern coast between the towns of Hafun and Bander Beyla in the semi-autonomous Puntland region. The vessel, owned by Pakistani interests and chartered by local businessmen, had left the port of Berbera on 20 February and was en route to Mogadishu when six armed men boarded the ship about 30 nautical miles offshore. Five additional gunmen later joined the hijackers, raising the total number of attackers to eleven.
Background & Context
Piracy off Somalia peaked around 2011 but declined sharply after intensified international naval patrols. In the past three years attacks have become sporadic, yet recent seizures of fishing vessels, container ships and now a fuel tanker suggest a possible resurgence. The hijacking occurs as fuel supplies in Mogadishu are already strained; local petrol prices have reportedly tripled since the start of the United States-Israel-Iran conflict earlier this year.
Key Figures & Groups
- Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF): Regional security agency responding to the incident.
- United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO): Monitors commercial shipping and issued a statement on the seizure.
- Pakistani maritime authorities: Represent the vessel’s flag state and have pledged to assist in securing the crew.
- Crew: Seventeen foreign seafarers, nationality not disclosed.
- Local community leaders: Pressuring Puntland officials to secure the vessel’s release.
Data & Statistics
- Cargo: 18,500 barrels of fuel.
- Crew: 17 members.
- Initial hijackers: Six; later increased to eleven.
- Location of seizure: 30 nautical miles offshore, between Hafun and Bander Beyla.
- Departure port: Berbera, Somaliland.
- Route: Briefly entered waters near the United Arab Emirates and the Strait of Hormuz before turning back toward Somalia.
Why It Matters
The loss of a fuel-laden tanker threatens an already fragile energy market in Mogadishu, potentially worsening price volatility and supply shortages. The incident also raises security concerns for commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden, a key artery for global oil transport, and may prompt a reassessment of anti-piracy patrols in the region.
Official Statements & Responses
A PMPF colonel confirmed the vessel’s departure from Berbera and its intended destination of Mogadishu. UKMTO reported that “unauthorized people took control of the tanker and were maneuvering it ‘south within Somali territorial waters.’” Pakistani maritime officials announced heightened efforts to protect their nationals aboard the hijacked ship. No statements have been released by Somalia’s federal government or the European Union Naval Force, which oversees anti-piracy operations in the area.
Criticism & Opposition
Local community leaders have publicly urged Puntland authorities to expedite the release of the tanker and its crew, highlighting growing frustration with perceived delays in the response.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of hijackers—initial reports cite six attackers, while later accounts mention five additional gunmen. The condition of the crew and any ransom demands remain unverified. Additionally, while tracking data documents the vessel’s brief passage near the United Arab Emirates, some reports omit this detail.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The tanker had departed from the port of Berbera and was heading to the Somali capital of Mogadishu when it was intercepted, a colonel with the Puntland Maritime Police Force told The Associated Press.” — Colonel, Puntland Maritime Police Force
- “It said unauthorized people took control of the tanker and were maneuvering it “south within Somali territorial waters.” — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations
- “The ship, Honour 25, was overrun late on Wednesday by six gunmen, when it was approximately 30 nautical miles offshore, the officials said.” — Puntland security officials
- “Pakistan’s maritime authorities have reportedly increased efforts to secure the safe recovery of their nationals.” — Pakistani maritime officials
What’s Next
Puntland security forces continue to monitor the anchored tanker while diplomatic channels engage Pakistani authorities. UKMTO is tracking the vessel’s movements, and regional naval assets may be redeployed to deter further piracy attempts. The situation remains fluid pending negotiations for the crew’s release and the safe off-loading of the fuel cargo.
