• Piracy re-emerges off Somalia with three attacks reported in October 2025
• Analysts link threat to Yemen instability and Houthi disruptions in Gulf of Aden
• Somalia passes anti-piracy law amid limited capacity and reliance on foreign forces
  

Piracy has resurfaced off the coast of Somalia after more than a decade of relative calm. Bloomberg reported that three attacks occurred in October 2025, recalling the years between 2008 and 2012 when the Horn of Africa was considered one of the world’s most dangerous areas for international shipping.

Several analysts link the renewed threat to instability in Yemen and the activities of Houthi rebels. The United States, which classifies the Houthis as a terrorist group, says their operations are disrupting trade flows through the Gulf of Aden, a key maritime corridor connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The International Maritime Bureau reported no incidents in Somali waters or the Gulf of Aden during the third quarter of 2025. Its October update, however, flagged rising risks elsewhere. The Gulf of Guinea recorded 15 incidents in the first nine months of 2025, up from 12 a year earlier, including 10 armed robberies and 5 acts of piracy. Southeast Asia remains the most affected region, with 73 incidents reported in the Singapore Strait, the highest number since 1991.

Experts warn that a sustained rise in attacks off Somalia could drive insurance premiums higher for shipping companies. Increased costs would feed into transport prices and ultimately affect the cost of goods moving along this strategic route. Similar effects were seen during recent disruptions caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

In response, Somalia’s Parliament passed a law on Monday to reinforce anti-piracy efforts. The state remains fragile and lacks the equipment and personnel needed to mount an effective response, leaving authorities dependent on support from foreign military forces to secure the coastline and protect government facilities.

Henoc Dossa