Despite the common belief that Somali piracy is a problem of the past, it remains a serious threat to international shipping. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has confirmed that 44 seafarers are still being held captive by Somali pirates and armed criminal groups.
According to the IMO, the crews are being held aboard three captured vessels — MT Honour 25, Eureka, and Sward. The ships were seized in separate attacks off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on the international community to make every possible effort to secure the safe and immediate release of the hostages. He emphasized that behind every piracy incident are real people who have spent months away from their families, living in uncertainty and constant danger.
The IMO also warned that the humanitarian situation on board the captured vessels continues to worsen. Food and drinking water supplies are becoming critically low, while the hostages remain under the constant threat of violence. The organization urged all relevant parties to intensify efforts to bring the seafarers home safely.
Speaking at the IMO Council in London, Arsenio Dominguez noted that piracy and armed attacks against commercial vessels remain a growing concern. According to the organization, 24 piracy and armed robbery incidents have been reported in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region over the past three months alone.
The IMO continues to advise shipping companies and vessel operators to maintain enhanced security measures when operating in high-risk areas. This includes following Best Management Practices (BMP), carrying out thorough voyage risk assessments, and closely monitoring the latest maritime security information.
The story of these 44 seafarers is a powerful reminder that modern piracy has not disappeared. For many crews sailing through high-risk waters, the threat remains very real, making maritime security as important today as ever.
