(Posted 01st February 2024)
The Seychelles’ Coast Guard has lost none of their combative qualities – displayed a decade ago when successfully fighting against Somali pirates as part of an international coalition – as earlier this week they intercepted a hijacked vessel, freed six Sri Lankan hostages without any harm to them and arrested the pirates.
In a parallel operation did the Indian Navy also track down and intercept another highjacked vessel, reportly flying the Iranian flag, freeing more than a dozen hostages and also arresting the pirates.
In view of the increased piracy dangers in waters under the Seychelles Economic Exclusion Zone has the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority also issued a notice to shipping and fishing companies to, if possible, avoid those sections of the Indian Ocean while at the same time increasing areal surveillance and sea patrols, both in close cooperation with friendly countries.
It can only be speculated how cruise lines will react to the increased piracy activity, besides the threat by the Huthi terrorists against all shipping in the Red Sea, and if it will affect itineraries and port calls like it did a decade ago. At that time did cruise lines eventually resort to armed personnel on board to defend their ships.
