Oil Tanker Crew Held Hostage by Somali Pirates

Jul 27, 2026

51 min

Jul 27, 2026 23:30

Oil tanker crew held hostage off Somalia: security officials

## Hijacking Incident

An oil tanker, M/T Asana, flying the Tanzanian flag, has been seized by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel, hijacked on July 16, is currently anchored near Jifle, a northeastern town in Somalia's Puntland region.

## Crew Details

Reports on the crew's composition vary. According to AFP, the crew consists of 19 members, primarily Indian, with others from Syria, Yemen, and Egypt. However, a local source claims there are 20 crew members, including individuals from Germany and the Philippines.

## Pirate Activity Resurgence

Pirate activity in the region had decreased significantly after 2011 but has seen a resurgence since late 2023. The pirates reportedly plan to move the M/T Asana further south towards the Mudug region.

## Other Incidents

The hijacking of M/T Asana is not an isolated case. Another vessel, the Syrian-flagged M/V Sward, was also captured and is anchored off Jifle. Additionally, two other tankers, M/T Honour 25 and Eureka, were seized earlier this year and are held north of Jifle.

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