Pirates Flee as Warships Close In: The $2.7m Ransom That Shook the Horn
A Greek bulker escaped after a show of force, but one cargo ship paid up to $2.7m after 138 days in captivity off Yemen.
Somali pirates have released two hijacked vessels in recent days, one after a military intervention and another following a multimillion-dollar ransom payment, as maritime security forces report a sharp rise in attacks off the Horn of Africa. The incidents bring this year’s total to 25, the highest since 2013, with four ships still held captive.
A Greek-owned bulker, the Glamor, was targeted on September 10 while sailing 98 nautical miles southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen. The 24,000-dwt vessel, registered in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was boarded by six armed pirates after its crew shut down systems and retreated to a secure citadel. The attack occurred 38 nautical miles southwest of Balhaf, Yemen, according to the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean.
Naval Show of Force Ends Hijacking Attempt: Pirates
The EU’s counter-piracy mission, EU NAVFOR Atalanta, redirected assets to the scene after receiving the distress call. A Japanese reconnaissance aircraft conducted low passes over the Glamor, while the Indian Navy dispatched a warship to assist. Faced with the international response and the crew’s safe confinement, the pirates abandoned the vessel. The ship’s security officer later confirmed that no injuries were reported, and the Glamor resumed its operations.
In a separate case, the Sward, an 8,500-dwt cargo ship registered in St. Kitts and Nevis, was freed on September 11 after 138 days in captivity. The vessel, carrying fertilizer to Mombasa, Kenya, was hijacked on April 26 with a crew of 17—15 Syrians and two Indians. The French news agency AFP reported that an undisclosed ransom was paid, with unconfirmed estimates ranging between $1.7 million and $2.7 million.
Ransoms and Disputed Releases
Pirates used the Sward as a mothership, launching attacks on other vessels, including two Iranian fishing boats and the Cameroon-flagged Lutuf. The Lutuf, transporting Turkish military equipment, was reportedly freed in a Turkish Navy operation that killed 14 pirates and destroyed four small boats. However, authorities in Somalia’s Puntland region dispute this version, claiming the ship was released after a $2.5 million ransom payment.
Four vessels remain under pirate control: the tankers Honour 25 (hijacked April 21), Eureka (May 2), Asana (July 17), and Sibu I (August 20). Reports indicate ongoing ransom negotiations involving Egypt and Pakistan, whose nationals are among the hostages. Maritime security agencies warn that instability in Yemen and potential links to armed groups may be fueling the resurgence of piracy in the region.
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