The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has sounded the alarm over a significant resurgence in piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide in 2025. The latest annual report reveals a troubling 18.1 per cent increase in incidents, reversing recent security gains and putting global seafarers and trade routes at heightened risk.
Sharp Rise in Violence and Kidnappings
According to the IMB's Annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report released on January 16, 2026, a total of 137 incidents were recorded against vessels in 2025. This marks a clear upward trend from 116 in 2024, 120 in 2023, 115 in 2022, and 132 in 2021. The breakdown of these incidents is particularly concerning:
- 121 vessels were boarded by attackers.
- 4 vessels were successfully hijacked.
- 2 vessels were fired upon.
- 10 attempted attacks were thwarted.
The human cost of this surge is severe. Violence against crew members intensified, with 46 crew taken hostage in 2025. Even more alarming is the near-doubling of kidnappings for ransom, with 25 crew reported kidnapped compared to 12 in 2024. An additional 10 crew were threatened, four were injured, and three were assaulted.
The report highlights a dangerous escalation in the weaponry used by pirates. Incidents involving guns rose sharply to 42 in 2025, up from 26 the previous year. Knives were reported in 33 incidents.
Regional Hotspots: Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits
The Gulf of Guinea, a critical shipping lane for Nigerian and West African oil and trade, continues to be a major flashpoint. The region saw 21 piracy incidents in 2025, up from 18 in 2024. It accounted for the kidnapping of 23 crew members in just four separate incidents.
While the IMB acknowledged efforts by Gulf of Guinea authorities that restricted some pirate activity, it stressed that further coordination and strengthening of regional responses are urgently needed to reduce violence against seafarers.
In a surprising shift, the Singapore Straits recorded the highest number of incidents globally, with 80 reports accounting for 58% of all 2025 incidents. This is a massive jump from 43 in 2024. This region also saw a spike in the carriage of guns, with 27 reports. The Indonesian archipelago, however, showed improvement, with incidents dropping to 12 in 2025.
Calls for Sustained Naval Presence and Timely Reporting
The report offered a glimmer of hope off the Somali coast, where just two incidents were recorded in 2025, both far from shore. The IMB credited this to the strong deterrent effect of a sustained naval presence, supported by vessel hardening measures.
Michael Howlett, IMB Director, emphasized the ongoing importance of naval patrols in trade-critical waters. He commended Gulf of Guinea authorities but recognized that crew members continue to suffer. "Sustained and strengthened cooperation between regional authorities, navies, international partners and industry remains essential to protect seafarers and safeguard trade," Howlett stated.
The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) expressed concern over late reporting of incidents, which hampers preventive action. "Timely reporting is key to preventing further incidents and protecting other vessels in the area," Howlett urged, calling on all ships to report promptly.
ICC Secretary General, John Denton, underscored the broader economic stakes. He stated that the rise in maritime incidents threatens seafarer safety, the stability of global supply chains, and the economies that depend on them, emphasizing that ensuring safe passage requires sustained international cooperation.
