The European Union maritime mission has warned of a potential piracy threat off the coast of Somalia after reports suggested a hijacked vessel could be used for further attacks.
The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean, a maritime security monitoring centre, said in a statement that an Iranian-owned vessel, the “ALWASEEMI 786”, had been seized by suspected pirates.
The report suggests the hijacked vessel could be used for further attacks on commercial vessels at sea.
The vessel was last seen about 400 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, raising concerns about the security of the vital waterway.
The EU mission and maritime security monitoring centres have urged ships in the area to avoid the area and exercise increased vigilance.
The warning comes amid signs that piracy is on the rise off the coast of Somalia, after years of decline.
Recently, European Union leaders agreed to step up maritime operations off the coast of Somalia and in the Red Sea.
