Armed men boarded a Bangladeshi ship nearly 1,000km off the coast of Somalia, security agencies reported on Tuesday.
The bulk commodity carrier Abdullah was carrying cargo to the UAE from Mozambique. About 20 armed men boarded the ship from two boats, security company Ambrey Analytics said.
Bangladeshi broadcaster Somoy TV posted an image that appeared to show a small boat approaching the larger vessel.
The ship’s owner, SR Shipping Ltd., said it was carrying coal. Ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg shows the Abdullah slowed to a standstill in the Indian Ocean before turning round. It is now heading in the direction of the Somalian coast.
“We’re waiting for communications with the pirates. The ship is being controlled by the pirates near the Somali coast,” Mehrul Karim, chief executive of SR Shipping, said in a phone interview. “All the sailors are alive and in good health.”
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency also flagged the boarding incident and advised vessels to transit with caution. UKMTO did not specify that it was Somalian pirates who boarded the ship.
The attack is the most recent sign that Somalian pirates are active again in the Indian Ocean.
Global shipping routes have been disrupted by tensions in the Red Sea, where Yemen's Houthi rebels have vowed to continue attacks on commercial ships that they say are in retaliation for Israel's war in Gaza.
Major shipping companies have been forced to send cargo vessels on a much longer route round southern Africa, driving up the costs of global shipping.
Somalian pirates now appear to be seeking to capitalise on this disruption, with a rise in attacks reported since late 2023.
At the end of last year, the first hijacking in the waters off Somalia took place since 2017.
Indian navy commandos boarded the Liberia-flagged ship MV Lila Norfolk in early January after it had been ambushed by pirates off the coast of Somalia. All 21 of the crew, including 15 Indian citizens, were rescued.
In December, pirates seized the Malta-flagged MV Ruen and its 18 crew.
Naval forces operating in the area have published warnings that two piracy groups have been working in the Indian Ocean.
- With reporting from agencies
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
