MOYEN-ORIENT | When piracy takes advantage of crises in the Middle East to resurge in the Indian Ocean

Naval vessels conducting counter-piracy operations in the Red Sea and the Somali Basin, showcasing international efforts to enhance maritime security and protect shipping routes from piracy threats. Image: Alamy

Risk Intelligence Senior Analyst Louis Borer shared insights with the French magazine MOYEN-ORIENT on the resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean, highlighting the potential links to Houthi attacks and the focus of international naval attention in the Red Sea.

The article discusses the return of piracy in November 2023 in the Indian Ocean, coinciding with the deterioration in security due to Houthi attacks in the area. Louis Borer highlights the potential causal links between these events. Although the attacks may not be directly connected to the situation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Borer points out that the focus of international attention and Western naval fleets on the Red Sea has likely facilitated the resurgence of piracy in the Indian Ocean.

Initially, the Indian Ocean experienced low-intensity pirate attacks near the Somali coast, often linked to illegal fishing activities. However, as the situation escalated, there have been more ambitious attacks and bulk carrier hijackings. While Louis Borer notes that the current security situation at sea is not as dire as it was during the peak of piracy from 2008 to 2012, he emphasises that increased vigilance is essential in the region.

For more insights, read the full article here (behind paywall).

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