The Eritrea-flagged oil tanker Sibu 1 has been freed from Somali pirates following a counter-piracy operation by security forces in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region. The vessel had been seized in August after armed men boarded the tanker while it was sailing through the Gulf of Aden.
Mohamed Jama, a commander with the Puntland Maritime Police Force, said the operation began two days earlier and that the ship had been brought back under the control of authorities. He added that the suspected pirates were taken into custody.
Sibu 1 Was Hijacked in the Gulf of Aden
The Sibu 1 tanker was seized on August 20 by six armed individuals while it was approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al-Mukalla, Yemen, according to maritime security reports.
The attackers took control of the vessel and redirected it toward Somalia. At the time of the incident, the tanker was carrying a crew of 20 people, including 16 Indian nationals, as well as crew members from Syria, Sudan and Iraq.
The vessel is managed by UAE-based Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management. The tanker had previously attracted attention from U.S. authorities after being placed under sanctions in December over allegations that it was connected to a so-called shadow fleet involved in transporting Iranian petroleum products in an effort to circumvent sanctions.
Somali Piracy Shows Signs of Returning
The rescue comes amid a renewed series of Somali piracy attacks across the Gulf of Aden and waters around the Horn of Africa.
The Sibu 1 was at least the 13th vessel attacked this year in waters off Somalia or in the Gulf of Aden, based on maritime security data and reports. Several commercial vessels have also been hijacked since April, indicating that piracy remains a significant concern for international shipping.
Somali piracy previously reached crisis levels between 2008 and 2014, when attacks on commercial ships disrupted maritime trade and resulted in large ransom payments. International naval operations and improved security measures eventually brought the number of attacks down significantly.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns about the security of major shipping routes connecting the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Counter-Piracy Operation Frees Tanker
Puntland maritime forces said their latest operation successfully regained control of the Sibu 1 and detained the pirates involved in the hijacking.
The operation highlights the continuing efforts by Somali regional authorities to respond to piracy along the country’s coastline. The renewed attacks are being closely watched by the international shipping industry because vessels traveling through the Gulf of Aden remain exposed to security threats.
The release of the Sibu 1 brings an end to the tanker’s weeks-long captivity and marks another major development in the latest wave of Somali piracy.
