Somali pirates demand $3 million ransom for hijacked tanker holding 10 Pakistanis

Somali pirates holding the MT Honor 25 oil tanker and its 17 crew members, including 10 Pakistanis, have formally demanded a $3 million ransom for their release, Pakistan's Ansar Burney Trust announced Monday. The demand was received via WhatsApp on May 18 from the pirate group's leader, nearly four weeks after the Palau-flagged tanker was hijacked off Somalia.

What is the $3 million ransom demand for the MT Honor 25?

Somali pirates demanded $3 million on May 18, 2026, for the release of the MT Honor 25, its crew, and cargo. The demand was sent via WhatsApp directly to Ansar Burney, head of the Karachi-based human rights trust acting as intermediary. The pirates stated there would be no negotiations or reductions to the amount.

When were the Somali pirates first in contact after the hijacking?

The ransom demand marks the first formal contact since the vessel was seized on April 21, approximately 30 nautical miles off Somalia's Puntland region. The pirate chief sent the demand in writing directly to Ansar Burney. This confirmed communication followed weeks of silence that left crew families and Pakistani authorities with little information.

The Ansar Burney Trust immediately informed families of the Pakistani crew members about the message. Trust officials also forwarded the demand to Pakistani government officials and senior authorities monitoring the case. The aim, the trust said, was to ensure "immediate steps can be taken at the official level" to secure the crew's safe return.

What conditions are the hostages facing aboard the MT Honor 25?

Families of the crew members report that children of the sailors have suffered panic and anxiety attacks since the hijacking. During brief calls permitted by the pirates, crew members told relatives the tanker had run out of clean drinking water. Sailors are reportedly drinking dirty tank water and surviving on boiled rice once a day.

Relatives also say many hostages are suffering from the effects of cramped conditions and a lack of essential medication. Families have been holding daily demonstrations at Karachi's Native Jetty Bridge, demanding stronger action from Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A hostage video released earlier showed all 17 crew members in visible distress.

How is Pakistan responding to the Somali pirate ransom demand?

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the pirates have not contacted Islamabad directly and have shown no willingness to negotiate with the government. He confirmed the ship owner is negotiating with the pirates while remaining in contact with the Somali government, which is keeping Pakistan updated. A delegation from Pakistan's embassy in Djibouti visited Somalia from May 7 to 10 and was told the hostages were safe.

Somali authorities reportedly told Pakistani officials that storming the tanker was not possible because it carries flammable cargo. Andrabi said Pakistan's Ministry of Maritime Affairs is coordinating with the families. Earlier, unverified reports had cited ransom demands as high as $10 million, but the Ansar Burney Trust confirmed the $3 million figure as the most recent verified demand.

Why is Somali piracy rising again in 2026?

Piracy off Somalia's coast had declined significantly in recent years but has shown clear signs of resurgence in 2026. At least three vessels were hijacked off Puntland in April alone, prompting the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency to issue a warning of a "substantial" rise in regional threat levels. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency advised commercial vessels to exercise heightened caution along the corridor.

The route has gained renewed strategic importance following disruptions linked to the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint. Increased traffic through Somali waters has coincided with the return of organized pirate activity in the Puntland coastal zone. The MT Honor 25 case has drawn international attention to a threat that many had assumed was largely contained.