NYT: Somali pirates hijack suspected Iranian shadow fleet tanker

Somali pirates have hijacked a tanker off the coast of Yemen, marking the second reported vessel seizure in four days amid a resurgence of piracy in the region, The New York Times reports.

The oil tanker, SIBU 1, was seized on August 20. It sails under the Eritrean flag and is believed to be part of Iran’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used to transport Iranian oil internationally, according to TankerTrackers.com.

The company said the tanker had regularly transported fuel to the Ras Isa oil terminal in Yemen, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The latest incident followed the seizure of a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship carrying weapons off the coast of Somalia’s Puntland region, according to Abshir Hashi Ali, director general of the Ministry of Ports in neighbouring Galmudug State.

Experts warn that renewed regional instability, the conflict involving Iran and economic difficulties in Somalia could contribute to further growth in piracy activity.

More than 17 piracy-related incidents were recorded in Somali waters and the Gulf of Aden during the first five months of the year, including the hijacking of at least three commercial vessels and five dhow boats, according to the Centre for Maritime Security.

Hashi said six ships are currently being held by Somali pirates, including the two vessels seized this week. More than 100 crew members are being held hostage aboard the vessels, he added.

By Sabina Mammadli