Pirates seize another vessel off Somali coast as threat level increased

Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to "substantial" as it reported "unauthorised persons" seized the vessel and re-directed it to S...

Maritime authorities are warning of an increased threat to ships off the coast of Somalia after a cargo ship became the latest vessel to be seized in a suspected act of piracy.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) raised the threat level in the area to "substantial" as it reported "unauthorised persons" seized the vessel and re-directed it to Somalia's territorial waters on Sunday.

At least four vessels have been targeted in suspected piracy incidents in the last week including a fishing vessel and oil tanker.

Until three years ago piracy had almost disappeared in this stretch of the Indian Ocean once notorious for hijackings, but it has since made a comeback.