IMO Chief Urges Immediate Release Of 44 Seafarers Held By Somali Pirates

The IMO Secretary-General has urged the immediate release of 44 seafarers held captive aboard three hijacked vessels (MT Honour 25, Eureka, and Sward) in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden, following a surge of 24 piracy incidents in the region over the past three months. This escalating piracy threat poses significant risks to maritime traffic transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and waters off Somalia, with a 17% global increase in piracy incidents recorded between 2024 and 2025.