The Bulgarian Naval Fleet bulk carrier Ruen has been seized in the Arabian Sea, according to Bulgarian National Television. The event has prompted immediate concern for the safety of the vessel and its crew as authorities work to establish a clear line of communication with those onboard.
At least 18 crew members are reported aboard the ship, with eight Bulgarian nationals and the remaining crew comprising individuals from Myanmar and Angola. The vessel, which was sailing under a Maltese flag, is said to have been located approximately 380 nautical miles east of Socotra Island, a region renowned for its challenging maritime traffic and sporadic security incidents. The seizure has raised questions about the attackers’ objectives and the possible state of preparedness on the ship’s bridges and security teams.
Bulgarian authorities have stated that crew safety remains the top priority and that every measure is being taken to protect those on board while the situation unfolds. The urgency of safeguarding crew welfare underlines the ongoing risks faced by merchant ships operating in high-threat zones and the critical role of international cooperation in such situations.
Earlier reports described an unrelated distress signal picked up by coastal monitoring networks along the Somali coast. The signal was traced to an unidentified vessel that appeared to be boarded by unknown individuals, triggering a rapid response from maritime authorities. The UK Merchant Shipping Authority has confirmed receipt of the distress transmission, and investigators are currently reviewing the incident to determine the vessel’s identity and status.
The location of the distressed ship was reported as roughly 1,296,000 meters east of Bosaso, Somalia. This placement underscores the vast distances involved in the maritime arena and the persistent exposure of ships traversing the western Indian Ocean to security threats, including piracy and boarding attempts.
In a related development, reports indicate that a separate event off Yemen involved detentions related to pirate activity and subsequent interrogations of individuals believed to be responsible for the attack on a tanker. Authorities are continuing inquiries to establish the full sequence of events and the motives behind these actions, while coordinating with regional partners to track the movements of suspects and assess potential links between different incidents in the area.