Somali piracy rises as Red Sea shipping faces new risks

Analysts are warning that piracy in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is increasing again, with concerns that Somali groups and Iranbacked Houthi militants are using overlapping tactics and coordination to target commercial vessels. The report says armed men hijacked an oil tanker off Yemen’s Shabwa coast on May 2 and redirected it toward the Gulf of Aden, underscoring how maritime security has weakened in a region central to global shipping. Experts cited in the article said the shift in trade routes, especially Saudi crude moved away from the Strait of Hormuz, has created more potential targets. They also said recent attacks off Somalia suggest a return to older hijacking methods, including seizing ships, taking crews and cargo to secure anchorages, and demanding ransom. The article notes that the Red Sea carries a significant share of global trade, including oil and LNG, and that rising instability could affect shipping costs and broader energy flows.