In a swift operation, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted a hijack attempt on the Liberian-flagged MV Lila Norfolk bulk carrier in the Arabian Sea. Responding to a report received by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency, an Indian Navy warship intercepted the vessel approximately 460 nautical miles off Somalia.
According to reports, about five to six armed individuals had boarded the ship on Thursday. The vessel’s crew, including 15 Indians, had sought refuge in the ship’s citadel. The navy evacuated all 21 crew members, and efforts are underway to restore power to the vessel for it to continue its journey to Khalifa bin Salman in Bahrain.
“The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy, marine patrol aircraft, of interception by an Indian Naval warship,” stated the navy in an official statement.
The incident highlights the resurgence of hijack attempts in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, with at least three reported cases in December. This resurgence is believed to be linked to the redirection of anti-piracy naval forces’ focus to the Red Sea, leaving the Gulf of Aden vulnerable to pirate activities. The recent incident marks a shift after a six-year lull in such attacks.
Abhijit Singh, head of the Maritime Policy Initiative at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, commented, “The sudden revival in ship hijacking and attacks can only be attributed to the pirates’ willingness to take advantage of the fact that the focus of anti-piracy maritime forces has largely shifted from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.”
It’s worth noting that India is not part of the US-led Red Sea task force.
By Reuters
