Piracy Resurges as Ships Reroute from Red Sea to Cape of Good Hope

Piracy has resurfaced as many ships are being rerouted from the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to the Cape of Good Hope due to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, according to a senior Italian Navy official.

Vice Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Commander-in-Chief of the Italian fleet, spoke to the media aboard the Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour at Mormugao Port, Goa. He noted that pirate attacks on ships in the Indian Ocean had decreased until about two years ago.

The Italian Navy’s Carrier Strike Group, which includes ITS Cavour and the frigate ITS Alpino, is docked at Mormugao Port’s Berth 9 for a port call as part of their deployment in the Indo-Pacific.

Vice Admiral De Carolis mentioned that while regions like the Malacca Strait and the Gulf of Guinea are known for piracy, the situation in the Somali Basin has changed. The diversion of shipping traffic from the Red Sea to the Cape of Good Hope has led to a resurgence of piracy in the area.

He emphasized that the Italian Navy focuses on the Mediterranean, where about 40 naval ships, including submarines, operate. Since all commerce passing through the Red Sea enters the Mediterranean, the Italian Navy is committed to ensuring safe passage for all ships connected to European Union nations.

Vice Admiral De Carolis also praised the Indian Navy for its excellent work in combating piracy.

Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina, the Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group Commander, announced that the Indian and Italian navies would conduct bilateral maritime exercises on October 5th and 6th, 2024, off the western coast of India.

The two-day event will focus on air defense, maritime maneuvers, and joint operations between the air wings of both navies. Rear Admiral Ciappina added that they would involve subject matter experts from the Indian Navy aboard the Cavour for information exchange and planned activities.

The exercises will include the integration of air wings from both carriers, air defense drills, and sea maneuvers. Officials from both navies will also meet to discuss their respective flight and naval operations.