IMO Chief Mourns Seafarers Killed Freeing Hijacked Ships

Five Seafarers Dead as Hijacked Vessels Freed Off Somalia

Three vessels that had been held by pirates for months in the Gulf of Aden region have now been released, but the operation came at a heavy cost. According to a report by The Maritime Executive, five seafarers lost their lives during the operation to free the hijacked ship HONOUR 25, prompting a statement of grief and renewed concern from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez.

The HONOUR 25 was freed alongside the SEAMULL (also known as SIBU 1) and the MT EUREKA, all of which had been seized by pirates and armed robbers between April and August 2026. In total, 44 crew members from the three ships have now been released, with their flag states working alongside shipowners to arrange repatriation.

A Difficult Rescue

Dominguez said it remains distressing to repeatedly issue statements mourning seafarers who die simply doing their jobs. He confirmed that five crew members were killed during the operation to free the HONOUR 25 on September 29 in Somali waters, with several others seriously injured. He extended condolences to the families and colleagues of those lost and called on all parties responsible for crew welfare to ensure the injured receive proper treatment as they recover.

The Secretary-General also thanked the Somali government for its role in securing the release of the hostages. However, he pointed out that the crisis is not over: 22 seafarers remain captive aboard the ASANA, which was seized by pirates earlier in the year, and their safe release remains a priority.

Renewed Calls to Combat Piracy

Dominguez stressed that the international community has successfully curbed piracy in the region before and must summon that same resolve again, paired with coordinated action and adequate resources. He noted that existing guidance and best practices are sufficient — the challenge now is ensuring they are actually implemented.

He referenced recent discussions at the United Nations General Assembly and in Brussels, where maritime security was a central topic, and urged governments to bring forward new initiatives — citing the proposed ‘Group of Friends of Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers’ — for formal consideration at IMO. He also underlined the continued importance of the EUNAVFOR Aspides and Atalanta naval operations in protecting shipping across the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Western Indian Ocean.

IMO stated it continues to work with flag states and regional partners to support crew welfare, including for those still held hostage, and is building regional maritime security capacity through the Djibouti Code of Conduct initiative. The organization reiterated its call for vessels transiting the region to carry out thorough security risk assessments and to follow industry Best Management Practices alongside IMO guidance.

What This Means for Owners and Managers

This incident is a stark reminder that piracy risk in the Gulf of Aden and wider Western Indian Ocean has not disappeared, even as naval and industry attention has shifted toward other flashpoints such as the Red Sea and Hormuz. For ship owners and managers routing vessels through these waters, the deaths during the HONOUR 25 rescue underline that rescue operations themselves carry serious risk to crew, not just the initial hijacking. This raises practical questions about how vessels are prepared before entering high-risk areas — from hardening and citadel procedures to crew briefings on what to expect if a rescue attempt occurs.

For technical superintendents and charterers, the case also reinforces the value of rigorous pre-voyage planning and condition verification before ships transit these corridors. Survey and inspection practices that confirm a vessel’s security equipment, communications systems, and crew readiness are functioning correctly can make a meaningful difference in an emergency. With 22 seafarers still held aboard the ASANA, the industry is reminded that compliance with Best Management Practices and IMO guidance is not a paperwork exercise — it is a frontline defense for the people who crew these ships.

Reviewed by Ibrahim Halil Ceylan, Marine Surveyor at Apeks Marine.