In a significant operation, the Indian Navy successfully failed an attempted act of piracy by Somali pirates on Saturday, halting their use of the former MV Ruen as a platform for unlawful activities on the high seas.
New Delhi, 16 March 2024
In a significant operation, the Indian Navy successfully failed an attempted act of piracy by Somali pirates on Saturday, halting their use of the former MV Ruen as a platform for unlawful activities on the high seas. The operation unfolded on March 15, when a Navy cruiser intercepted the MV Ruen, which had fallen under the control of Somali pirates on December 14, 2023. Responding to the interception, naval authorities took action after the MV Ruen fired shots at the Indian Navy vessel, invoking retaliatory measures in accordance with international maritime law.
The decisive response from the Indian Navy came following a distress call issued by the 18-member crew of the MV Ruen, posted on the UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) site on Thursday afternoon. The crew alerted authorities to the presence of “roughly six unknown persons” aboard the vessel, signaling an imminent threat. The MV Ruen, operated by Navigation Maritime Bulgare, a Bulgarian business entity, became the focal point of international attention amidst the alarming resurgence of piracy activities in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden region.
Despite concerted efforts by multinational naval forces to curb piracy in the area, the hijacking of MV Ruen marked a notable setback, being the first such incident in the past five to six years. Shedding light on the encounter, the Indian Navy clarified its actions through a statement, asserting that the vessel had opened fire on the warship. The Navy emphasized that its response was in adherence to international law, characterized by self-defense measures and aimed at countering piracy, employing the minimum necessary force to neutralize the threat posed to shipping and seafarers.
