On December 16, 2023, the Indian Navy warship and Maritime Patrol Aircraft responded quickly to a hijacking incident in the Arabian Sea by Somalian pirates. The vessel that fell prey to the hijack was a Malta-flagged vessel called MV Ruen.
The Incident
The MV Ruen, flagged in Malta was hijacked on the evening of December 15, 2023, in the Arabian Sea by Somalia’s malevolent pirates. The ship was rescued promptly by the Indian Naval warships and maritime patrol aircraft on December 16, 2023. As soon as the information and alert were received, the Indian Navy diverted from its anti-piracy operations to locate and assist the MV Ruen.
Indian Navy Statement
As per a statement from the Indian Navy, a naval aircraft overflew the vessel on December 15, 2023, and is monitoring the movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia.
“Responding swiftly to the developing situation, the Indian Navy diverted its Maritime Patrol Aircraft undertaking surveillance in the area and its Anti-Piracy Warship in the Gulf of Aden to locate and assist the MV Ruen. The aircraft flew over the hijacked vessel on December 15, 2023, and the Indian Navy aircraft have been continuously monitoring the movement of the vessel which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia,” the Indian Navy said in its statement.
The Indian Navy Warship mission deployed in the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy operations has already intercepted MV Ruen in the early hours of December 16, 2023, said the Indian Navy.
“The Indian Navy Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) overflew the MV Ruen early morning of December 15, 2023, and continues to monitor the vessel, now heading towards the coast of Somalia. The IN (Indian Navy) on Anti-Piracy Patrol, intercepted the MV Ruen in the early hours of December 16, 2023. The situation is being closely monitored on social media platform X.
The overall situation is being closely monitored, in cooperation and coordination with the other agencies and other Maritime Naval Forces (MNF) in the area according to a release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
Rescue Attempts by Other Nations
Akin to the Indian Navy, a Spanish naval vessel is also racing towards a Maltese-flagged commercial vessel suspected to have been hijacked by Somali pirates, as reported by the European Union’s Counter Somali-piracy force on December 15, 2023. The Spanish Navy Ship Victoria has been dispatched to the scene to gather more information about the situation itself and its assessment. Also, the EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Forces) emphasizes vigilance regarding this piracy-related event and others in the northwest Indian Ocean and the Red Sea coordinating efforts with the Broader international naval combined maritime force.
The British Maritime Security company Ambrey believes that Ruen has indeed been attacked by pirates. Earlier, on December 15, 2023, the UK Maritime Trade Operations UKMTO received a report from a ship’s security officer stating that the vessel’s crew no longer had control and it was headed towards Somalia.
Current Status
The Ruen, managed by the Bulgarian National Maritime Bulgare was last spotted sailing towards Somalia in the open sea. EUNAVFOR continues to coordinate with international naval forces to address the evolving situation.
