Story perspectives

Somali Pirates Hijack Two Ships; US, UK, EU Respond

4/29/2026

Summary

Pirates Hijack Vessels

Pirates seized the oil tanker Honour 25 on 21 April with 17 crew and captured the cement carrier Sward near Garacad on 26 April.
UK Maritime Trade Operations raised the threat level to “substantial” after the hijackings and warned vessels to exercise extreme caution.
President Donald Trump gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth power to deploy U.S. forces, drone strikes, against Somali pirates.
EU Naval Force Atalanta expanded surveillance and intercepted pirate skiffs.

Summary

Pirates Seize Vessel

Nine pirates seized the St. Kitts-and-Nevis-flagged cargo vessel Sward en route to Mombasa off Somalia.
All crew were on the bridge during boarding, with only two mechanics elsewhere.
A Puntland Maritime Police Force officer said the force is monitoring the hijacked ship, but no public statement has been released.
Analysts link the piracy rise, including an oil-tanker seizure from Berbera to Mogadishu, to reduced patrols and resources shifted to Houthi threats.

History

Historical Context

Illegal foreign trawling in the 1980s armed Somali fishermen, and piracy grew from 2000, exploding during the 2006-2009 war. UN Security Council Resolution 1838 (Oct 2008) and the 2009 Maersk Alabama rescue led to patrols that cut successful hijackings 30 % by 2012. Yet April 2024 attacks on the tanker Honour 25 and cement carrier Sward raised UK Maritime Trade Operations’ threat level and prompted EU Naval Force Atalanta to expand surveillance.

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Pirates Hijack Vessels

Pirates seized the oil tanker Honour 25 on 21 April with 17 crew and captured the cement carrier Sward near Garacad on 26 April.
UK Maritime Trade Operations raised the threat level to “substantial” after the hijackings and warned vessels to exercise extreme caution.
President Donald Trump gave Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth power to deploy U.S. forces, drone strikes, against Somali pirates.
EU Naval Force Atalanta expanded surveillance and intercepted pirate skiffs.

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