UAE condemns killing of crew members aboard the hijacked MT Honour 25 off Somalia and calls for stronger international maritime security cooperation.
ABU DHABI: The UAE condemns killing of crew members aboard the hijacked oil products tanker MT Honour 25 off the coast of Somalia, describing the incident as a serious threat to maritime security and international trade routes.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the statement on October 1, 2026, following the deaths and injuries reported during efforts to free the vessel.
UAE expresses solidarity with victims’ families
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the UAE’s solidarity with the families of those killed and conveyed its wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured crew members.
In its statement, the ministry stressed that the safety of maritime navigation is closely linked to global economic stability and the smooth movement of international trade. It called for greater regional and international cooperation to protect commercial ships and their crews.
Five crew members reported killed
Reuters reported that authorities in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region said pirates had killed five crew members aboard MT Honour 25 before security forces freed the hijacked tanker. The vessel was carrying petroleum products when it was seized off Somalia’s coast.
The circumstances surrounding the rescue operation and the condition of all remaining crew members were not fully detailed in the initial official reports.
The UAE condemns killing of the tanker crew at a time when security around major shipping routes remains a significant international concern. Waters off Somalia have experienced piracy threats for years, affecting vessels travelling between the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and wider global shipping network.
Maritime trade routes remain a priority
The UAE’s foreign ministry said attacks against commercial shipping can threaten not only individual crews and vessels but also international supply chains.
Commercial routes near the Horn of Africa connect major markets across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Disruptions in these waters can affect shipping schedules, insurance costs and the movement of energy and other goods.
The UAE reiterated that safeguarding commercial vessels requires coordinated action between regional governments and international partners.
UAE calls for stronger cooperation
As the UAE condemns killing of MT Honour 25 crew members, its latest statement places emphasis on collective maritime security rather than a unilateral response.
The ministry called for cooperation aimed at protecting crews, preserving freedom of navigation and maintaining stability across international maritime routes.
Impact to expect
The incident could increase international attention on piracy risks off Somalia and strengthen calls for coordinated maritime patrols, vessel protection measures and regional security cooperation along important global trade corridors.
