A resurgence of Somali piracy is adding a third crisis to global shipping, already strained by conflicts in the Middle East. Three vessels have been hijacked off Somalia and Yemen in the past three weeks alone, as of May 8, 2026.

The diversions around the Cape of Good Hope, adding two to three weeks to voyages, bring ships past Somalia's coastline, where pirate groups are exploiting reduced naval patrols. Experts say organized crime groups are taking advantage of the Iran war to launch hijackings.

Tim Walker, senior researcher at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies, stated: "Some groups, organized by piracy kingpins, are now looking to seize vessels and hold them for ransom, along with the crew on board."

The EU's Operation Atalanta and Combined Task Force 151 maintain a presence but are stretched thin. Lloyd's List Intelligence reports at least two active pirate groups based in Puntland, using captured dhows as mother ships to extend their range.

Troels Burchall Henningsen, assistant professor at Denmark's Institute for Strategy and War Studies, noted: "Some of the latest hijackings involved large dhows, which need navigation kits, weapons and boarding equipment. It's a large operation which requires investment."

The shift in US policy under the Trump administration, cutting non-security development aid to Somalia, is seen as a contributing factor. Washington has focused on counter-terrorism operations against al-Shabab instead.

Maritime organizations advise shipping firms to avoid Somali territorial waters and deploy armed guards. Experts emphasize that no ship with armed guards on board has ever been successfully hijacked off Somalia.

Source: www.dw.com