There are growing concerns over a potential resurgence of Somali piracy following the hijackings of several merchant vessels, including the Egyptian vessel Sward, off the coast of Somalia in April 2026.

• Several vessels, including oil tankers Honour 25 and Eureka, were seized and redirected towards the Puntland coast.
• Pirate kingpins, whose networks were never dismantled, may have become dormant rather than inactive.
• Factors contributing to the potential resurgence include political turmoil in Somalia, rising poverty due to increased costs and reduced US aid, and a shift in naval patrol deployments towards the Red Sea.