Negotiations on for release of three ships held by Somali pirates, Singapore-based maritime centre says
Negotiations are underway to secure the release of 44 crew members held by Somali pirates across three merchant vessels. Maritime security officials report that piracy in the Western Indian Ocean has increased due to regional geopolitical tensions.
Why it matters
The resurgence of piracy threatens global supply chains and increases freight costs, impacting international trade stability.
Ransom-related negotiations are underway for the release of three merchant vessels and their crew members held by Somali pirates, as such incidents continue in the Western Indian Ocean, a senior Maritime Security Official said in Singapore on Wednesday (July 15, 2026).
The three vessels — oil tankers Honour 25 and Eureka, and cargo ship Sward — comprising 44 crew members, were hijacked in separate incidents between April and May off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden, according to recent reports by the International Maritime Organisation.
Talks involving the countries where the vessels are officially registered, ship owners and the pirates are being conducted confidentially due to concerns over the safety of the crew, Vijay D. Chafekar, executive director of the ReCAAP (Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia) Information Sharing Centre, said.
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