MOGADISHU, Somalia — Last week, a Chinese-owned fishing vessel with a crew of 18 was seized off the northeastern coast of Somalia, as reported by local authorities on Friday. An official from the Xaafuun district in the Puntland region, where the ship is currently held, stated that the hijackers included the vessel’s security personnel who aligned themselves with armed groups from the coastal area.

The European Union’s anti-piracy naval force, Eunavfor Atalanta, spotlighted the incident after issuing a statement on Thursday. In their report, they confirmed that local maritime authorities had contacted them and that armed individuals had gained control over the ship. The statement noted that there were no injuries reported among the crew members and classified the incident as an act of armed robbery at sea.

A local businessman, who chose to remain unnamed due to concerns about government retribution, provided further details. He indicated that at the time of the hijacking, the fishing vessel had two security guards on board. “The ship is one of ten that have been licensed by the Puntland administration to operate within Somali waters, holding a valid license for three years now. Initially, the hijackers took the vessel to Jiifle, a coastal site in the Godobjiraan district of the Nugaal region. Reports suggest that the ship has since been relocated to various locations, and is currently believed to be in Maraya, a coastal village falling under the Eyl district’s authority,” the businessman explained.

The vessel, flagged under Taiwan and represented by a local businessman from Puntland, has faced a turbulent situation. Early reports indicate that the hijackers initially sought a ransom of $5 million but later rejected an offer of $1 million, although Somali authorities have not verified these ransom claims.

This incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding maritime security in the waters off Somalia. Local authorities have announced that an investigation is currently in progress. The region has a long history of piracy, which peaked in 2011 when over 160 attacks were documented by the U.N. Since that time, incidents have decreased significantly, largely thanks to the presence of U.S. and allied navies patrolling international waters.