16 Indian Seafarers Held Hostage as Piracy Threat Escalates Near Gulf of Aden

Aug 2026 : At least 16 Indian seafarers are currently being held hostage by pirates in waters around the Gulf of Aden and off the Horn of Africa, according to the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), underscoring the continuing maritime security threat in the region.

The seafarers are among the crew members of commercial vessels hijacked between April 24 and July 17 this year. The most recent incident involved the tanker MT Asana, which was hijacked on July 17 in the Gulf of Aden, around 65 nautical miles south of Al Mukalla in Yemen.

The vessel was carrying 22 crew members, including 11 Indians, when it was seized. According to the DGMA, the tanker is now reportedly being taken towards Somalia.

Another tanker, MT Eureka, was hijacked on May 2 off the Somali coast. Four Indians were among its 12-member crew. Earlier, on April 24, pirates seized MT Honour, which had a crew of 17, including one Indian national.

A fourth vessel, MV Sward, was also hijacked off the Somali coast. No Indian nationals were reportedly among its crew. The vessel is currently being monitored by international naval forces.

The DGMA said the incidents demonstrate that piracy continues to pose a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. It called on shipping companies, vessel operators and crew members to strictly follow internationally recognised maritime security procedures.

The maritime authority also highlighted the successful prevention of a hijacking attempt involving MV Golden Arsenal on July 1. The vessel escaped seizure because its crew detected the threat early, maintained a vigilant lookout and immediately implemented its Ship Security Plan.

The crew subsequently moved to the vessel’s citadel, established communication with the Indian Navy and other maritime security agencies and followed prescribed emergency procedures.

The Indian Navy responded rapidly after receiving the distress alert and dispatched a warship to the vessel’s location. The pirates fled when an Indian naval helicopter approached. Marine commandos subsequently boarded the vessel, conducted security checks and sanitised the ship before the crew emerged from the citadel.

The DGMA said the incident demonstrated the importance of preparedness, effective watchkeeping and rapid communication in preventing pirate attacks.

The authority has advised all vessels operating in the affected region to follow the latest Best Management Practices for Protection Against Somalia Based Piracy (BMP5). Ships have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure that their security systems and emergency arrangements are fully operational before entering high-risk areas.

Ship operators have also been asked to undertake comprehensive security risk assessments before vessels enter designated High Risk Areas. Ship Security Plans must be regularly updated and implemented effectively, while crews should receive appropriate security briefings and conduct piracy-response drills.

The DGMA has further advised vessels to register their voyages with relevant maritime security reporting centres and maintain regular communication in accordance with BMP5 guidelines.

Particular attention has been drawn to citadel arrangements, emergency communication systems, access controls, lookout procedures and anti-boarding measures. Crew members should be familiar with emergency protocols and know how to respond immediately if suspicious vessels or pirate activity are detected.

The authority has also urged shipowners and masters to closely monitor maritime security advisories issued by the DGMA, Indian Navy, International Maritime Organization, UK Maritime Trade Operations and Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa.

The latest incidents have prompted renewed concern over the safety of merchant shipping operating through the Gulf of Aden, southern Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and waters surrounding the Horn of Africa.

The DGMA has called on shipowners, operators and masters to exercise the highest degree of caution while navigating these routes and ensure full compliance with international maritime security guidelines.

The series of hijackings also highlights the continuing vulnerability of commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors, where vessels carrying vital cargo regularly transit between Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)