A cargo ship has reportedly been hijacked off the coast of Somalia after eight armed men boarded the vessel and took control of it, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
UKMTO issued an alert over the incident, saying the vessel was seized approximately four nautical miles south of Mareeyo, off the Somali coast.
According to the report, the ship’s security officer notified authorities that eight unauthorized armed individuals had boarded the vessel before taking control of it.
UKMTO said authorities are investigating the incident and urged vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
The maritime security agency did not disclose the name of the vessel or its owner and has not provided official information about the condition or whereabouts of the crew.
Maritime publication SeaTrade Maritime, citing a private maritime security company, reported that the vessel had been identified as Lutuf, a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship.
The report described it as a general cargo vessel built in 1995. However, UKMTO has not officially confirmed the vessel’s name or those details.
The reported identity of the ship and information concerning its ownership should therefore be treated as media reports pending official confirmation.
The incident has renewed concerns over piracy off Somalia’s coast, where maritime authorities have issued warnings in recent years about attempted attacks and unauthorized boarding of commercial vessels.
Somalia’s coastline was once one of the world’s most dangerous areas for international shipping.
Between 2008 and 2018, piracy was widespread along the Somali coast, but international naval patrols, improved security measures and the use of private security teams aboard commercial vessels contributed to a dramatic decline in attacks.
However, incidents involving attempted hijackings, illegal boarding and armed groups approaching commercial ships have resurfaced in recent years.
Maritime security reports indicate that there have been other incidents involving vessels being seized or approached by armed individuals in 2026.
UKMTO also reported an incident in April 2026 involving a vessel in the northeastern Mareeyo area, where unauthorized individuals were reported to have taken control of the ship.
The latest reported hijacking could increase concerns among shipping companies and crews operating along routes near Somalia’s coastline.
Somalia’s coastline sits along strategically important maritime routes linking the Indian Ocean with the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Thousands of commercial vessels pass through or near these waters as they transport goods between Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Any attack or hijacking involving a commercial vessel in the area could have wider consequences for the shipping industry, including higher insurance costs, increased security requirements and possible changes to shipping routes.
For shipping companies, even isolated incidents can create additional operational costs because vessels may require enhanced security measures or may be forced to avoid areas considered high-risk.
So far, no group has officially claimed responsibility for the reported hijacking.
UKMTO has also not identified the armed individuals who allegedly boarded and took control of the vessel.
As a result, while the incident has been described as a hijacking, important details remain unclear. Authorities are expected to establish who carried out the operation, what their motives were and whether the incident was connected to an organized piracy network.
It is also unclear whether the incident represents a return of the larger-scale piracy threat once associated with Somalia or an isolated criminal operation.
UKMTO has urged vessels operating near the Somali coast to exercise increased caution and report suspicious activity.
The warning highlights the continued need for maritime security measures in waters where commercial vessels operate close to the Somali coastline.
The incident has once again drawn international attention to Somalia’s maritime security environment and concerns that criminal groups could attempt to exploit gaps in surveillance and coastal security.
Further information is expected regarding the condition of the crew, the vessel’s current location, the identity of those responsible and the response by Somali and international maritime authorities.
Until those details are confirmed, the reported identity of the vessel, the number and identity of those involved and the circumstances surrounding the seizure should be treated with caution.