In response to the recent capture of the Bulgarian bulk carrier MV Ruen, which is listed under the Maltese flag, Bulgaria is preparing for discussions with Somali pirates.
The yacht, which was detained last week, arrived off the coast of Puntland, Somalia, near Bander Murcaayo during the weekend. The Bulgarian prime minister announced that talks over a ransom to liberate the ship’s crew were about to begin. During the hijacking, the ship’s eighteen crew men took refuge in the citadel. The pirates, however, were able t
o breach the security procedures and force the crew to lead the vessel to Somalia. This is the first known act of Somali piracy since the Aris 13 was attacked in 2017.
In addition to the current increase in Somali piracy, the region has become more volatile as a result of Houthi attacks on ships in Yemen’s north, which have significantly affected Red Sea maritime operations.