Somali Forces Free Third Ship Seized by Pirates
- On Friday, the Puntland Maritime Police Force announced the rescue of the US-sanctioned oil tanker Sibu 1, which Somali pirates hijacked in August. Commander Mohamed Jama confirmed the vessel is free and the pirates are in custody.
- Six armed individuals seized the 32,238 dwt tanker on August 20 approximately 136 nautical miles east of Al Mukalla, Yemen, while it transported oil products. The crew of 20 included 16 Indian nationals and four Arab crewmembers.
- While authorities described a planned 48-hour operation, the Daily Somalia reported a violent clash between forces and pirates off the coast of Mudug. Unconfirmed reports indicate three people died and several others were injured.
- Somali piracy has resurged in recent months, with six vessels seized between April and August this year. The Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean reports that three other hijacked ships remain in pirate custody off Somalia's coast.
- The United States Treasury sanctioned the tanker in December 2025, alleging it helped Iranian petroleum products evade US sanctions. Previously operating as the Seamul, the vessel transferred to UAE management under the Sibu 1 name.
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The Maritime Police Force in the Puntland region of Somalia announced, on Friday, the liberation of the Cibu 1 tanker, after it had been seized by Somali pirates on 20 August.
An oil tanker targeted by US sanctions, whose Somali pirates had seized in August off Yemen, was released by the Puntland Coast Guard, announced on Friday the authorities of the United States of America.
The Somali Autonomous Region of Puntland NCIS released an oil tanker, Sibu 1, captured by pirates in August, reported to the Puntland Maritime Police. Puntland Somali Autonomous Region NCIS released an oil tanker, Sibu 1, captured by pirates in August, transferred TASS. The operation to return control of the ship lasted 48 hours and involved maritime and land units. "The Maritime Police detained all pirates involved in the seizure and confirmed …
The maritime police in Puntland, northeastern Somalia, have recaptured the oil tanker Sibu 1, which was hijacked by Somali pirates in August, and have taken all the pirates into custody. The Eritrean-flagged vessel was seized by six gunmen on August 20. The Sibu 1 is on the US Treasury Department's sanctions list because authorities say it is part of a shadow fleet transporting Iranian oil products.
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