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Ransom Rises
Somali pirates hijacked the oil tanker M/T Eureka off the coast of Yemen’s Shabwa Governorate on 2 May, and the vessel was taken into Somali territorial waters near the Puntland region with eight Egyptian sailors aboard.
“Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in the New Capital”
Relatives of crew members said the pirates raised their ransom demand for the release of the hijacked tanker from $3 million to $10 million, and that conditions aboard the vessel deteriorated sharply.
The wife of engineer Mohamed Radi said her husband told her during a phone call that pirates increased the number of armed guards on the ship while severely restricting food and water supplies.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty instructed the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to coordinate with Somali authorities and work to secure the sailors’ release.
The incident was first brought to public attention by the families of the crew, who said the crew initially remained silent about the kidnapping to allow the Emirati company operating the vessel time to negotiate.
Diplomatic Condemnation
Qatar condemned the hijacking of an oil tanker carrying Egyptian sailors in Yemeni territorial waters and described it as “a flagrant violation of international law” and a “serious threat” to maritime security and international trade.
In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it affirmed “full solidarity” with Egypt and with the families of the abducted sailors and emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety and security and accelerating the process of their release.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty directed the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to monitor the sailors’ condition and provide necessary support, while Egyptian authorities coordinated “at the highest level” with Somali officials.
Ahram Online reported that the tanker M/T Eureka, which runs under the flag of Togo, was reportedly seized after departing Yemen’s regional waters and being taken toward Somali territorial waters near Puntland.
The families of the Egyptian sailors issued urgent appeals for international and diplomatic intervention to save the crew before “it is too late.”
Broader Piracy Threat
Hiiraan Online said piracy off Somalia is back as ships reroute around Africa to avoid Middle East conflict zones, driving up insurance, transit times and security costs and putting pressure on global supply chains.
“A serious threat to navigation — Arab condemnations of the hijacking of an oil tanker near Somalia”
It said that as of May 8, 2026, the Honour 25 and Eureka oil tankers and the cargo ship Sward all remain under pirate control.
Tim Walker, senior researcher for transnational threats and organized crime at South Africa's Institute for Security Studies, said the pirates now perceive fewer deterrents along Somalia's 3,300-kilometer (2,050-mile) stretch of coastline and that some groups are “looking to seize vessels and hold them for ransom.”
Marine Insight reported that Operation ATALANTA was investigating a possible hijacking of a dhow near position 00°13’S 044°18’E on 09 May 2026 while the vessel was transiting towards Kismayo.
The same Marine Insight report said vessels had been advised to maintain heightened vigilance and follow BMP-MS procedures within 150 nautical miles off the Somali coast between Mogadishu and Hafun, and to report suspicious activity to both MSCIO and UKMTO.
