MOGADISHU — The Somali Navy rescued 18 sailors from the M/V JACUAR after the cargo vessel capsized in Somali waters, according to officials. The rescued crew members are nationals of Egypt, India, and Syria.
The cargo ship was en route from Mozambique to Egypt when water entered the vessel, causing it to take on water and capsize, Somali officials said. The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport had earlier confirmed that the vessel ran aground after water entered part of the ship.
The vessel, identified as M/V JACUAR (IMO 9181821), was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis and was travelling from Nacala Port in Mozambique to Adabiya Port in Egypt when the incident occurred. According to the ministry, the vessel was carrying approximately 7,007.73 metric tons of cargo and had 18 crew members on board.
Vessel Details and Voyage
Maritime tracking data shows that the M/V JACUAR is a general cargo ship built in 1998, with a length overall of approximately 100.64 meters and a beam of 18.8 meters. The vessel has a summer deadweight tonnage of 8,556 tonnes.
The ship is registered under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, with its port of registry listed as Basseterre. According to vessel databases, the registered owner is listed as Brothers Maritime Trading Co, based in Mersin, Turkey, while Sonar Shipping & Management serves as both the ship manager and ISM manager [citation:5][citation:11].
Prior to its current voyage, the vessel had called at several ports in the region, including Al Adabiyah in Egypt, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti.
Rescue Operations and Response
The Somali Navy conducted the rescue operation that saved all 18 crew members. The Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport said it is working with relevant agencies and coordinating emergency response and rescue operations. The ministry has been actively modernizing Somalia’s maritime governance framework, including the implementation of a contemporary vessel documentation system designed to ensure all registered vessels display official national identification while navigating domestic and international waters.
The incident occurs amid a broader resurgence of maritime security challenges in Somali waters, with the International Maritime Organization reporting 24 attacks, including both attempted and successful incidents, in the past three months. Pirates are currently holding six merchant vessels and more than 90 seafarers hostage in the region.
Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament recently approved the Anti-Piracy and Anti-Kidnapping Bill, which awaits presidential assent and will strengthen the country’s legal framework to combat piracy and kidnapping. The legislation includes clearer definitions of piracy, expanded jurisdiction over maritime crimes, and stronger penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years in prison.
Critical Note
The successful rescue of all 18 crew members from the M/V JACUAR demonstrates the Somali Navy’s capacity to respond to maritime emergencies, a capability that has been strengthened through international support and domestic reform. The incident also highlights the risks faced by commercial shipping in Somali waters, particularly for vessels transiting the long route between East Africa and the Suez Canal.
The timing of the incident, amid a documented resurgence of piracy and maritime crime, reinforces the need for sustained investment in Somalia’s maritime security infrastructure and emergency response capacity. The Ministry’s continued updates will be important for establishing the cause of the incident and assessing the full scale of the emergency response.
