Somalia’s Navy Saves 18 Crew as Cargo Ship Jacuar Runs Aground Off Coast
All 18 crew members rescued after the 8,556 dwt vessel took on water en route from Mozambique to Egypt.
Somalia’s navy has completed the rescue of all 18 crew members from the cargo vessel Jacuar after the ship ran aground and began flooding during its voyage from Mozambique to Egypt.
The crew, consisting of nationals from India, Syria, and Egypt, were safely evacuated following the incident. Somali authorities confirmed on September 17 that they had been monitoring the vessel after water entered part of the ship, though they did not specify the exact location where the grounding occurred.
Incident Details and Vessel Background
The Jacuar, a general cargo ship constructed in 1998, was transporting approximately 7,007.73 tonnes of cargo from Nacala Port in Mozambique to Adabiya Port in Egypt. The vessel measures 100.64 metres in length and 18.8 metres in width, with a summer deadweight capacity of 8,556 tonnes.
Registered in Basseterre under the Saint Kitts and Nevis flag, the ship is owned by Brothers Maritime Trading Co, based in Mersin, Turkey, and managed by Sonar Shipping & Management. Somali maritime officials stated the vessel ran aground after taking on water but did not provide a cause for the incident or disclose the nature of its cargo.
The Jacuar has faced previous safety concerns. In December 2024, Egyptian authorities identified deck corrosion and faulty engine-room gauges during an inspection. Jordanian officials detained the ship twice—once in September 2024 and again in April 2025—due to safety violations. Prior to this voyage, the vessel had docked at ports in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Djibouti.
Somalia’s Naval Expansion and Maritime Security Efforts
The rescue operation highlights Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its naval forces, which had been largely inactive since the early 1990s. Recruitment initiatives reportedly began in 2022, and in April 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud appointed a new naval commander to accelerate the force’s expansion.
The country continues to strengthen its maritime security infrastructure. In July 2025, the European Union conducted a 10-day training course in Mogadishu, focusing on coast guard operations, border policing, and maritime crime prevention. Additionally, the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport is developing a new vessel documentation system to ensure ships carry proper national identification in domestic and international waters.
Despite these advancements, maritime threats persist. The International Maritime Organisation reported 24 attacks in the region over the past three months, including both attempted and successful incidents. Somalia’s Upper House of Parliament has approved an Anti-Piracy and Anti-Kidnapping Bill, which now awaits presidential approval.
Somali authorities have not yet released further details about the investigation into the Jacuar grounding or the status of its cargo.
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