The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for the immediate release of more than 90 seafarers being held captive following a resurgence of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters.
The appeal follows the reported hijacking of a sixth vessel, the product tanker Seamull, also known as Sibu 1, in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, August 20.
The vessel broadcast a distress call warning that an unauthorised craft was approaching while it was sailing west through the region.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it received a report of an incident 136 nautical miles (about 252 kilometres) east of Al Mukalla in Yemen.
The Seamull, operated by UAE-based Qatrat Alnada Almasi Ship Management, was sanctioned by the US in December 2025 for allegedly operating as part of Iran’s shadow fleet and transporting Iranian oil.
Six armed people reportedly boarded the tanker and forced it to change course towards Somalia, according to PortNews.
The vessel has 20 crew members: 16 Indian nationals, one Syrian, one Sudanese, one Iraqi and another person whose nationality is not known.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned, on Monday, August 24, that piracy incidents are increasing in the region.
“With the most recent hijacking, a sixth vessel is being held by pirates and armed robbers in waters that are becoming too dangerous for seafarers.”
Dominguez said more than 90 seafarers are now captive often with limited access to adequate food, fresh water, medical support and other essential services.
“I demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those being held captive. No seafarer should face violence, intimidation or exploitation simply for doing their jobs and keeping global trade moving,” he said.
Dominguez called for urgent attention to the deteriorating maritime security situation.
“While international focus has been drawn to other areas of heightened tension, we cannot allow the resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding waters to go unaddressed. The safety and security of seafarers must remain a global priority.”
He called on flag and coastal states to ensure that vessels are adequately prepared to manage security risks and that their crews are not exposed to avoidable danger.
Dominguez said the IMO will continue supporting regional efforts led by coastal states through initiatives such as the Djibouti Code of Conduct and its Jeddah Amendment.
Sustained international naval cooperation remains essential to protecting merchant shipping and seafarers, he added.
“The international community has successfully confronted this threat before and it must do so again,” Dominguez said.
He pledged to continue raising the matter across the United Nations and engaging with governments and other stakeholders in collaborative efforts to improve maritime security and protect seafarers.
