Somali Pirates Hold Three Ships as Traffic Reroutes Around Africa

A major resurgence of piracy off the coast of Somalia is underway, driven by commercial ships rerouting around Africa to avoid conflict in the Middle East. According to a May 12 advisory from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Somali pirates are currently holding at least three vessels—two oil tankers and a general cargo carrier—captured between April 21 and May 2. The agency has warned that the piracy threat level remains severe along the Somali coast and basin.

The intensifying conflict has choked traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil, natural gas, and critical raw materials. To avoid it, carriers are taking lengthy detours around Africa’s southern tip, extending travel times by weeks and pushing increased maritime traffic directly into the volatile waters near Somalia. This rerouting is estimated to cost an additional $1 million per vessel due to soaring fuel, insurance, and operational costs.

Somali lawmaker Mohamed Dini attributed the resurgence to a combination of external conflict and internal fragility. He stated that recent piracy incidents stem from opportunism, with shifting international shipping...