The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working to secure the release of four Indonesian citizens held hostage by Somali pirates. The victims, who were serving as crew members, were captured during the hijacking of a merchant vessel last Wednesday, April 22.
Heni Hamidah, Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the four Indonesians were part of a 17-member crew aboard the MT Honour 25, an oil tanker sailing under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag. The remaining crew members consist of ten individuals from Pakistan and three others from India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar.
“According to reports from Somali authorities, all Indonesian crew members are currently in good condition,” Heni stated during a press briefing on Thursday, April 30. “We are in ongoing coordination with local government officials, community leaders, and relevant business stakeholders to resolve the situation as safely as possible.”
The vessel, which was transporting 18,500 barrels of crude oil from Oman to Somalia, was intercepted approximately 30 nautical miles off the Somali coast by six armed individuals, according to reports from the BBC. While the investigation and recovery efforts remain in progress, Heni emphasized that the government’s primary objective is the safe recovery of the Indonesian crew. At this stage, there has been no information regarding potential ransom demands.
Strengthening Oversight for Overseas Seafarers
In response to this incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is moving to enhance protections for Indonesian seafarers working abroad by bolstering data accuracy and inter-agency coordination. Heni announced plans to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Transportation to update and verify the records of all Indonesian nationals currently employed on foreign vessels.
The Ministry also intends to optimize its bilateral, regional, and multilateral working forums to better address the safety challenges faced by migrant workers. Heni strongly urged all Indonesian nationals seeking employment on international ships to adhere strictly to official recruitment procedures, which are designed to mitigate risks and ensure legal protections.
Data from the Ministry indicates that there are currently 321 Indonesians serving as crew members on foreign-flagged vessels. The majority of these individuals work on commercial ships, with 81 employed on fishing vessels and 44 serving on other specialized maritime craft. “We are committed to working alongside the Ministry of Transportation to maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date registry of all our citizens working at sea to prevent future incidents,” Heni concluded.
Summary
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively coordinating with Somali authorities and stakeholders to secure the release of four Indonesian sailors captured during the hijacking of the UAE-flagged oil tanker, MT Honour 25. The vessel was seized by armed individuals off the coast of Somalia on April 22, but reports confirm that all 17 crew members, including the four Indonesians, remain in good condition. Currently, no ransom demands have been reported as recovery efforts continue.
In response to the incident, the government is strengthening safety protocols for Indonesian seafarers working on international vessels through improved data tracking and inter-agency cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Transportation to verify official records and enhance legal protections for workers. Officials have also urged citizens to utilize only authorized recruitment channels to mitigate future risks while serving abroad.
