IMO Calls for Urgent Action as Piracy Resurges in Gulf of Aden
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for immediate international action following a renewed increase in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden, warning that the deteriorating security situation is putting seafarers at growing risk.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez issued the warning after reports that the SEAMULL was hijacked on 20 August 2026. According to the IMO, the latest incident means that six vessels are now being held by pirates and armed robbers, while more than 90 seafarers remain captive.
Dominguez called for the immediate and unconditional release of all seafarers being held captive, stressing that no seafarer should face violence, intimidation or exploitation while carrying out essential work that keeps global trade moving.
The IMO Secretary-General said the situation had become increasingly dangerous for crews operating in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Captive seafarers may have limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical assistance and other essential services, while their families face prolonged uncertainty over their safety and well-being.
IMO Warns Against Ignoring Piracy Resurgence
Dominguez warned that the renewed piracy threat cannot be overlooked while international attention remains focused on other areas of maritime and geopolitical tension.
“The resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters” requires urgent attention, he said, emphasizing that the safety and security of seafarers must remain a global priority.
The warning is significant because the Gulf of Aden is a strategically important maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean and serving ships involved in international trade. A sustained deterioration in security could increase operational risks for merchant vessels and place additional pressure on shipping companies, crews and maritime security providers.
IMO Urges Ships to Strengthen Security Preparedness
The IMO has called on flag and coastal States to ensure that ships operating under their flags are adequately prepared to manage security threats and that crews are not exposed to avoidable risks.
The organization specifically highlighted the implementation of industry Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMP Maritime Security) and relevant IMO guidance. These measures are intended to strengthen onboard preparedness and help vessels respond more effectively to security threats.
From a maritime security perspective, the resurgence of piracy demonstrates that risk levels can deteriorate rapidly when deterrence and continuous monitoring weaken. For shipowners and operators, security planning is therefore becoming an increasingly important part of voyage risk management rather than simply an emergency response measure.
Regional and International Cooperation Needed
The IMO said it would continue supporting regional initiatives led by coastal States to address the renewed piracy threat. This includes mechanisms such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment, which provide frameworks for cooperation against piracy and armed robbery at sea.
At the same time, Dominguez stressed that sustained international naval cooperation remains essential to protecting merchant shipping and the seafarers who operate it.
The international community has successfully confronted piracy in the region in the past, and the IMO Secretary-General argued that a renewed collective response is now necessary to prevent the threat from becoming entrenched again.
Dominguez also said he would continue raising the issue across the UN family and engage governments and other stakeholders to determine how the IMO can best support collaborative efforts aimed at strengthening maritime security and protecting seafarers.
A Renewed Warning for Global Shipping
The latest IMO warning highlights an important lesson for the shipping industry: maritime security threats can re-emerge even after years of declining piracy activity. The detention of more than 90 seafarers and the reported holding of six vessels represent a serious humanitarian and operational concern.
For commercial shipping, the challenge extends beyond individual attacks. If piracy risks persist, operators may face increased security costs, additional voyage planning requirements and greater pressure to reassess routes through the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters. Any prolonged disruption could also add complexity to global supply chains already exposed to geopolitical instability.
The IMO’s call for stronger cooperation therefore points to the need for a coordinated approach involving coastal States, flag States, naval forces, shipowners and seafarers. Combining effective onboard security practices with sustained international maritime surveillance will be critical to preventing the current resurgence from developing into a wider regional threat.
For seafarers and their families, however, the immediate priority remains clear: the safe and unconditional release of those being held captive.
Read: Somalia Piracy Surge: Oil Tanker Hijacked Near Strategic Shipping Route, 17 Crew Held Hostage
