Garacad, Somalia — The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has sounded the alarm after detecting suspicious maritime activity off the coast of Garacad, a port town in Puntland, roughly 106 nautical miles south of Eyl. The incident has reignited fears of insecurity in Somali waters, once the world’s most notorious piracy hotspot.
According to UKMTO, two vessels were observed exhibiting unusual movement patterns in the area earlier this week. Authorities swiftly mobilized a response team, intercepting one of the vessels while the other managed to flee the scene before it could be boarded. Details about the intercepted vessel and its crew remain limited as investigations continue.
The alert has prompted renewed calls for vigilance among ships transiting the busy Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean corridor — a region that remains vital for global trade but vulnerable to criminal and pirate activity. UKMTO urged all mariners in the vicinity to maintain heightened awareness, report suspicious sightings, and adhere to security protocols to minimize risk.
Although piracy incidents off Somalia’s coast have declined sharply in recent years due to international naval patrols and local security operations, the latest encounter underscores the persistent fragility of maritime security in the region.
Fishermen, cargo crews, and coastal communities have long lived with the uneasy balance between economic survival and the shadow of illicit maritime activity.
Local Puntland authorities are said to be working closely with international partners to verify whether the fleeing vessel was engaged in smuggling, illegal fishing, or other criminal operations.
The warning comes as Somalia continues to strengthen its maritime governance with support from global allies, aiming to secure its coastline and rebuild confidence in one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes.
For now, the incident off Garacad serves as a stark reminder that while Somali piracy may have faded from international headlines, the risks have not entirely drifted away.
