Somali piracy surge reaches 13 attacks in 2026 with two new vessel seizures

Piracy off the Somali coast has escalated to its highest level in over a decade, with 13 total attacks recorded in 2026. The recent hijacking of the MV Lutuf and MT Sibu 1 indicates a sustained operational capability by pirate networks, with six vessels currently held for ransom. The extent of coordination between these disparate pirate groups remains uncertain.