The 'Liao Dong Yu 578' was hijacked off the Puntland coast, Somalia, by pirates on the afternoon of Jan 1, 2026. It was attacked off the coast of Bandarbeyla by pirates intending to release the crew members in exchange for ransom. It was its second hijacking. It was earlier captured off Puntland in Nov 2024 and was released in Jan 2025 after a ransom of 2 million dollars was paid to the pirates. The hijacking incident was confirmed by the European Union’s Naval Force. Dave Harvilicz, Deputy Secretary for Cyber, Infrastructure, Risk and Resilience Policies at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said that the vessel was doing illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing off Somalia. It caught the previous yellowfin tuna, whose stocks are being rapidly depleted.
News
HIGHLINE 59
On Dec 13, 2025, at 11.30 a.m. the 'Highline 59' along with the towed the barge 'Highline 58', which was loaded with a cargo of scrap, was boarded by 15-20 perpetrators about 4.8 nautical miles from the Batu Behanti beacon in pos. 1° 13.65' N 103°59.08' E, while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Schemeof the Singapore Strait. While no crew members were injured, the intruders stole scrap metal from the 'Highline 58'.
CGAS SATURN
The abducted crew members from the 'CGas Saturn' which was boarded enroute to Malabo on Dec 3 in the Gulf of Guinea, have been released. According to Christiania Gas’ statement on Dec 29, all nine seafarershave been released and were now safe. The men have meanwhile been in contact with their families and were being repatriated to their countries of origin to be reunited with their loved ones. Furthermore, the company stated that the crew members have undergone full medical checks and have been provided with psychological support. One of the crew members sustained injuries and received medical treatment. In the days following the incident, Christiania Gas reported that it was continuing efforts to establish contact with the kidnapped crew.
GENCO VALKYRIE
The 'Bulk Sydney' was boarded by four perpetratos 2.74 nautical miles off Pulau Cula, in pos. 1° 4.28' N 103°40.65' E on Dec 15, 2025, at 03.10 a.m., while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait. While no crew members were injured, the intruders stole engine spares.
ECO DIAGON ALLEY
On Dec 17, 2025, at 1.10 a.m., the 'Eco Diagon Alley', while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait, was boarded by three perpetrators, armed with batons, 5.4 nautical miles off Pulau Cula in pos. 1° 3,32' N 103° 37.38' E. While the crew was not injured, the intruders stole engine spares.

