Piracy and armed robbery at sea incidents last year were 21 up on 2024 with the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) noting most reported cases were low level.
In its annual review, released on 15 January, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) affiliated IMB said 137 incidents against ships were recorded in 2025 compared to 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023. A hundred and twenty-one vessels were boarded, four hijacked, two fired on or at with 10 attempted attacks reported to its piracy reporting centre in 2025.
Most of the reported incidents last year were categorised as “low level” with the Bureau pointing to violence against crew as concerning. In this regard 46 crew members were taken and held hostage in 2025 with a further 25 kidnapped, compared to 12 the previous year. Another 10 crew members were threatened, four injured and three assaulted in 2025.
The reported use of guns continues to rise. In 2025 guns were reported in 42 incidents, compared to 26 the previous year. Six less incidents where knives were used were reported in 2025 compared to the 39 in 2024.
Reacting to the numbers, ICC Secretary General John Denton said: “Maritime trade remains a cornerstone of real economic activity and growth. The rise in reported maritime incident highlights the importance of protecting seafarers and securing key shipping routes not only for crew safety but for the stability of global supply chains and the economies dependent on them. Ensuring safe passage at sea requires sustained co-operation with regional and international partners working together to safeguard maritime commerce”.
Although only a small number of incidents were reported off the Somali coast in 2025, two incidents in November took place far from shore, showing that Somali pirate groups still have the ability to operate at range, the IMB said. In both cases, well-prepared crews, together with the swift response of naval forces, ensured the safety of the vessels and their crews.
The IMB has it further the lack of a broader resurgence in Somali piracy reflects the strong deterrent effect of a sustained naval presence, supported by vessel hardening and implementation of best management practices. IMB acknowledges active patrolling and robust responses to piracy by naval forces and encourages their continued presence in these waters.
On the western side of the continent, the Gulf of Guinea saw another year of restricted piracy activity, thanks to Gulf authorities. Twenty-one incidents, as against 18 in 2024, and 22 in 2023, were reported to the IMB.
Efforts to curb incidents require further coordination and strengthening to reduce violence against crew members, said the report. In 2025, the region accounted for the kidnapping of 23 crew in four separate incidents, along with three hostages and one injured crew.
Of both east and west African piracy IMB Director Michael Howlett is on record saying: “Sustained and strengthened co-operation between regional authorities, navies, international partners and industry remains essential to protect seafarers and international trade”.
The Singapore Straits, meanwhile, recorded the highest number of reported incidents – 80 – in 2025 compared to 43 the previous year. This accounts for 58% of globally reported incidents.
While considered low level and opportunistic, reported incidents in the Singapore Straits note a disproportionate increase in the carriage of guns, with 27 reports in 2025 compared to eight in 2024. Fourteen crew were taken hostage, eight threatened, three injured and one assaulted.
