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Pirates seize oil tanker near Somali coast
An oil tanker carrying 17 crew members was hijacked late Wednesday by armed pirates approximately 30 nautical miles off the Somali coastline, security officials confirmed to the BBC.
Updated 25 April 2026 - The vessel remains anchored near the Somali shore under pirate control.
Incident details
The tanker, identified as Honour 25, was boarded by six gunmen before additional armed men joined, bringing the total number of pirates on board to 11, according to sources. The ship is currently anchored between the fishing towns of Xaafun and Bander Beyla.
The crew consists of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan, and one Myanmar national. No injuries have been reported.
Ship's route and cargo
The Honour 25 departed from Berbera, Somaliland, on 20 February and was en route to Mogadishu with a cargo of 18,500 barrels of oil. According to ShipAtlas, the vessel initially sailed near the United Arab Emirates before circling near the Strait of Hormuz and reversing course toward Somalia on 2 April.
Resurgence of piracy
Piracy in the region had significantly declined over the past three years but has recently resurged, with fishing trawlers and container ships increasingly targeted. The hijacking of an oil tanker is expected to heighten concerns in Mogadishu, where fuel prices have already tripled since the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Officials suspect the pirates originated from a remote area near Bander Beyla but have not disclosed how they intercepted the tanker.
Response and silence from authorities
Neither Somali authorities nor the European Naval Force, which oversees anti-piracy operations in Somali waters, have issued statements regarding the hijacking. The lack of official response has raised questions about coordination and preparedness in addressing the renewed threat.
Next steps
Security analysts are monitoring the situation closely, though no demands or negotiations have been reported. The vessel's owners and international maritime agencies have yet to comment publicly.
