After securing a ransom for the ABDULLAH, what now for Somali pirates?
A naval vessel escorts the ABDULLAH away from Somalia (Source: EUNAVFOR)
19 April 2024
The release of the bulk carrier ABDULLAH for a claimed ransom of $5 million shows the potential rewards for Somali pirates. At the same time, naval activity off Somalia remains robust, and future pirate operations will likely be making their own risk-reward calculations.
By Guy Wilson-Roberts, Head of Intelligence Analysis
The recent hijackings of the bulk carriers RUEN and ABDULLAH and their detention off the Somali coast has been reminiscent of the Indian Ocean piracy threat of old. It has been 11 years since the last merchant vessel, the tanker SMYRNI, was successfully held and ransomed by Somali pirates. In that case, the vessel was freed after 10 months with a ransom of $9.5 million claimed by the pirates.
There have been a number of reported boardings of fishing shows off Somalia since November 2023. These are likely linked to illegal fishing activity in the area, which is an ongoing issue and has been a major focus for Somalia in expanding its maritime capabilities.
Attacks on merchant ships have also taken place. It is likely that some networks have been reactivated to take advantage of the ‘distraction’ of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea – or at least the perception that naval activity in the Indian Ocean will be reduced. In the most recent case, a group of 15 to 20 Somali pirates hijacked the Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier ABDULLAH on 12 March. The ship was boarded from two boats approximately 600 nautical miles off the coast. The perpetrators took 23 crew members hostage and then held the ship off Somalia during the ransom negotiations.
However, the pirate perception of reduced naval activity was wrong. When the pirates took the hijacked RUEN to sea in March to act as a mother ship for further attacks, the Indian Navy was waiting with its destroyer INS KOLKATA. In an extended operation, the navy monitored the RUEN while the pirates responded with gunfire, including shooting down a surveillance drone.
According to an Indian Navy statement, its forces then disabled the steering system and navigational aids, forcing the RUEN to stop. ‘Forceful negotiations’ with the pirates took place before they eventually surrendered. The operation also involved a second Indian warship, the patrol vessel INS SUBHADRA, as well as an airdrop of marine commandoes. The 35 arrested pirates were taken to Mumbai where they will face trial.
It is likely that future pirate operations will have to balance potential returns from a ransom versus the risk of robust naval operations. These operations may have taken the pirates by surprise, having incorrectly assessed that the Red Sea was a distraction for regional forces. The fate of the 35 pirates in Indian hands may be important. As a local fisherman in Eyl in Somalia was reported saying, “I don’t believe any pirate in their right mind would take the chance.”
There is still the potential reward, however. The ABDULLAH and its crew were released on 14 April, just one month after the hijacking. In media reporting, the pirates claimed that they had received a $5 million ransom payment. When the Bangladeshi bulk carrier JAHAN MONI (under the same management) was hijacked off Somalia in 2010, it took 3 months to reach a negotiated settlement – with the ransom reportedly close to $5 million.
If these figures are correct, there has not been any inflation in the ransom figures. Nevertheless, this is still a significant financial incentive for future pirate hijackings – if the pirates are willing to take the risk.
RISK ASSESSMENT REPORTS:
Enhance your decision-making with Risk Intelligence's comprehensive risk assessment reports
Tailored to your needs, our reports offer in-depth analyses of threats for specific operations, regions, or routes. Whether it's the Voyage Risk Assessment for operational readiness or the Security Risk Assessment for strategic planning, our insights equip you with the knowledge to mitigate risks effectively.