Although ship hijackings have declined in recent years and the situation in the Horn of Africa appeared to have stabilized, pirates have now reappeared off the coast of Somalia amid the fuel crisis linked to the war in the Middle East. Their presence affects the security of ships—and, as a result, transportation costs.
Since April 2026, there has been a series of attacks and ship hijacking. The Somali government has officially confirmed a resurgence of pirate activity off the northeastern coast and in the Gulf of Aden. The situation is becoming increasingly tense with each passing month. The International Maritime Organization has recorded further incidents. In July, it reported, among others, that 44 seafarers were being held by pirates.
The scale of the problem remains significantly lower than it was several years ago, but shipowners are already paying more for ship security, insurance, and route planning. Higher security costs mean higher overall transportation costs. As a result, the impact can eventually be felt in product prices in many countries around the world.
Piracy creates a financial problem for shipowners
A ship sailing through an area of high risk may require additional security measures, more observers, a different transit plan, and special insurance terms. In June 2026, a maritime security analysis rated the risk in Somali waters as “substantial.” It pointed to a series of incidents in April involving not only small fishing boats but also massive tankers and commercial vessels. The recommendations for operators were clear: monitor ships around the clock and follow other industry guidelines for protection against piracy.
The return of pirates to the African coast means that shipowners must one again recalculate the costs of their shipments. For cargo owners, this means the risk of delays, additional fees, and more difficult negotiations with insurers. For all vessels, it creates costs linked to the possibility of an attack.
However, it should not be assumed that every ship will begin to avoid Somalia. Such decisions depend on the type of cargo, the current risk and economic considerations. What is certain is that piracy will force ship operators to continually weigh costs against potential risks in the coming months.
Somalia needs more than just ships
International security mechanisms remain in place. Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA (which consists of European water and air units) is monitoring the situation, while the International Maritime Organization maintains an incident reporting system. At the same time, Somalia has declared its commitment to cooperating with regional and international partners. This is a major test for the country’s authorities.
Maritime security today is not just a matter of the cost of protecting a ship, but also a test of the stability of the country through whose waters trade passes.
Global trade doesn’t like surprises
Somalia may seem far away, but its coastline is part of the route connecting Europe with Asia, the Middle East, and East Africa. Any increase in risk can affect the cost of transporting raw materials, fuels, and goods, as well as decisions regarding about inventory levels and delivery schedules.
For now, there is no basis for speaking of a global shipping crisis. However, there is reason to speak of the return of an old problem that could affect the global transportation industry. Shipowners, who for years were able to treat piracy as a marginal threat, must once again consider it as a potential risk.
