Somali Pirates Seize Container Ship

Pirates in the Indian Ocean hijacked a Singapore-flag container ship some 300 nautical miles north of the Seychelles, signaling a resurgence in attacks on ships using trade lanes near the coast of Somalia.

Reports from the region said the seized ship is the Kota Wajar, a 1,550-TEU vessel owned by Singapore interests.

It was traveling with 21 crewmembers from Singapore to Kenya, according to the BBC.

The ship is at least the fifth currently held by Somalia-based pirates. The hijacking comes after security officials in the United States and Europe warned that attacks could accelerate after a lull over the summer because of weather conditions in the region.

The hijacking this week is apparently the pirates’ first successful seizure of a container ship since the taking of the Maersk Alabama in February.