Chinese Fishing Vessel Seized by Pirates off Somali Coast

A Chinese fishing vessel with up to 18 crew members has been seized by suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia, CNN reports, citing the European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta.

The incident, classified as a robbery at sea, occurred near the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia. Operation Atalanta responded to an alert from Somali authorities.

The pirates, reportedly armed with AK-47s and machine guns, gained control of the vessel. Operation Atalanta confirmed that no injuries have been reported among the crew.

The incident highlights a recent resurgence in piracy in the region, near vital international shipping lanes through the Suez Canal and Red Sea. This uptick follows attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial shipping last year, which diverted international naval attention. Operation Atalanta recorded 19 suspected pirate attacks this year – the highest number since 2012 – compared to a peak of 212 in 2011.

China, a major player in the region with its own naval presence and a military base in Djibouti, has yet to officially comment on the situation. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has conducted anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden since 2008, a response to earlier attacks on Chinese vessels. However, the PLAN did not participate in the US-led coalition addressing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Operation Atalanta stated it is maintaining constant communication with both Somali and Chinese authorities regarding the hijacking. The incident raises concerns about the security of shipping routes in a region crucial for global trade. The decline in piracy in previous years was largely attributed to a coordinated international effort, including from NATO, the EU, and permanent members of the UN Security Council.