Maritime security concerns have intensified after two commercial vessels carrying a total of 22 Indian crew members were hijacked in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia within the same week. The sailors are reported to be safe so far, but both vessels remain under pirate control.
The incidents have renewed concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea and wider Indian Ocean, where commercial ships face risks from both piracy and attacks connected to regional conflicts.
One of the vessels, the Eritrea-flagged MT Sibu 1, carrying 16 Indians among a 20-member crew, was seized in the Gulf of Aden on August 20, around 30 nautical miles off the Yemeni coast.
The second vessel, the Cameroon-flagged M/V LUTUF, carrying six Indians among its 10-member crew, was hijacked off Somalia’s Puntland coast on August 17.
No injuries have been reported among the crew members so far.
MT Sibu 1 Hijacked Off Yemen
The MT Sibu 1, an oil-products tanker, was taken over in the Gulf of Aden on August 20. The vessel was carrying 20 crew members, including:
16 Indians
One Syrian national
One Sudanese national
One Iraqi national
The nationality of one additional crew member was yet to be confirmed
Maritime tracking information indicated that an unauthorised vessel approached the tanker before control of the ship was lost.
According to information provided to authorities, six armed pirates are currently onboard the MT Sibu 1 and have taken control of the vessel.
The ship was approximately 30 nautical miles from the Yemeni coast when it was hijacked.
The recruitment and placement agency connected with the vessel has been instructed to submit an incident report and provide regular updates through the e-Navik online marine casualty reporting system.
M/V LUTUF Seized Off Somalia
The second incident involved the Cameroon-flagged M/V LUTUF, which was hijacked on August 17, around 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Somalia’s Puntland region. The vessel had a 10-member crew comprising:
Six Indians
One Turkish national
One Georgian national
Two Serbian security guards
The attack was carried out by eight armed pirates, who were reportedly travelling in two small boats, or skiffs. The pirates were also reported to be carrying AK-47-type weapons.
When the attack began, the crew initially moved into the vessel’s citadel, a protected area designed to keep crew members safe during a security emergency.
However, the pirates managed to gain access to the vessel. They subsequently moved the crew to the bridge and took control of the ship.
The vessel remains under pirate control, but no injuries have been reported among the crew so far.
Vessel Reportedly Steered Towards Somalia’s Nugaal Coast
After taking control of the M/V LUTUF, the hijackers reportedly steered the vessel towards Somalia’s Nugaal coast.
The pirates are suspected of having links to a previous hijacking, although further details about their identities and the earlier incident remain under investigation.
The vessel was also carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment and satellite equipment. The material was reportedly bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu.
The presence of such equipment adds another security dimension to the hijacking and could increase concerns about what the pirates may do with the vessel and its cargo.
Two Hijackings Raise Fresh Regional Security Concerns
The two incidents have taken place against a backdrop of renewed security concerns for commercial shipping across the region.
The Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and wider Indian Ocean remain important international shipping routes. Ships travelling through these waters have faced piracy threats as well as attacks associated with the conflict in Yemen.
The latest hijackings highlight the continuing risks faced by commercial vessels and the thousands of seafarers working on them.
For Indian sailors, the issue is particularly important because India is one of the world’s largest sources of maritime workers.
Indian Seafarers Face Growing Exposure
India is the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers after the Philippines.
The 2026 BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report estimates that India supplies around 311,936 seafarers.
This large workforce means that Indian sailors are present on commercial vessels operating across some of the world’s busiest and most challenging maritime routes.
The latest incidents involving MT Sibu 1 and M/V LUTUF therefore highlight the wider security risks faced by Indian workers at sea.
Separate Concern Raised Over Strait of Hormuz Incident
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has separately raised concerns about the dangers facing Indian seafarers amid the Iran war.
The organisation shared footage that it claimed showed a vessel carrying 22 crew members, including 21 Indians, being hijacked in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22.
However, it was not immediately clear whether that footage was connected to a separate incident or to the latest hijackings involving MT Sibu 1 and M/V LUTUF.
The uncertainty has added to concerns over the safety of Indian crews operating in multiple high-risk maritime zones.
Authorities Monitoring the Situation
With both vessels still under pirate control, the immediate priority remains the safety of the crew.
So far, no injuries have been reported among the 22 Indian seafarers involved in the two latest incidents.
Authorities are also seeking regular updates on the vessels and the condition of those onboard.
The incidents demonstrate that while piracy may have declined in some parts of the region compared with previous years, the threat has not disappeared. Commercial ships continue to face risks when operating near areas affected by political instability, armed conflict and organised maritime crime.
For India, the safety of its large seafaring workforce remains a major concern. The latest twin hijackings underline the need for continued coordination between shipping authorities, vessel operators, security agencies and international maritime organisations to protect crews travelling through vulnerable waters.
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