Somali pirates seize Iranian vessel Azini with 23 crew members

Piracy in the Horn of Africa has intensified, prompting new warnings for vessels transiting the Indian Ocean.

Somali pirates seized the Iranian fishing vessel Azini on Thursday. The ship was taken between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun in northeastern Somalia. A Puntland maritime police security agent confirmed the incident on Sunday. The agent spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he lacked authorization to discuss the case publicly.

The Azini carried 23 people at the time of the takeover. The crew consisted of 21 Iranian nationals and two Somali security guards. Twelve pirates boarded and controlled the vessel. The Indian Ocean Maritime Security Centre issued an alert on Saturday stating that the safety of the crew remains unknown. The center warned that the hijackers could use the ship as a mother ship to support further attacks on commercial traffic.

The seizure occurs during a resurgence of Somali piracy in the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean. Since April, pirates have captured six commercial vessels. Some attacks have taken place far from the Somali coast. The list of captured ships includes the product tanker Sibu 1, which was taken approximately 252 kilometers east of al-Mukalla in Yemen.

In September, Puntland authorities reported that pirates killed five crew members of the tanker MT Honour 25. Security forces recovered the vessel, which had been held since April. Officials said 16 suspected pirates were detained in connection with that incident. The EU naval mission Operation Atalanta is currently investigating the latest seizure. The security center has advised ships in the region to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

The renewed threat adds risk to maritime transport in a region already affected by the Iran war. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi threats against Saudi-linked shipping through Bab el-Mandeb have complicated oil routes. These disruptions have lengthened voyages and increased tanker costs. The AP reported in September that some oil shipments rerouted around Africa faced delays of up to one month. Daily spot charter rates for tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz reached 1 million dollars.