Maritime authorities recorded armed maneuvers in the Gulf of Aden in May 2026, with a cargo ship master reporting pursuit by seven gunmen off Yemen's coast. The reported hijacking of an oil tanker into Somali waters further fuels concerns of
a 2026 piracy comeback. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, the safety of these alternative routes is paramount; any disruption to 2026 maritime stability risks severe global economic consequences and increased shipping costs.
