Somali pirates release seized cargo ship MV Abdullah after ransom payment

On Sunday, Somali pirates released MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi cargo ship, and its 23 crew members after a $5 million ransom was paid, according to Reuters. Two pirates confirmed the ransom to Reuters.

The MV Abdullah, a bulk carrier transporting cargo, was seized by pirates in March while sailing from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates. The hijacking occurred roughly 600 nautical miles east of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

Somali government officials have not yet commented on the incident.

Somali pirates were a significant maritime security threat from roughly 2008 to 2018. However, their activity had dwindled in recent years. This latest incident underscores a concerning resurgence of Somali piracy, raising fears for international shipping in the region.

Many Somali pirates are former fishermen who turned to piracy after decades of illegal fishing and waste dumping by foreign vessels destroyed their livelihoods. Somalia’s lack of navy allows these illegal activities to flourish, creating conditions that fuel piracy.