Global piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships increased in 2025, with the rise driven overwhelmingly by developments in Southeast Asia, according to the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The organisation recorded 137 incidents worldwide, up from 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023, marking a renewed upward trend after two relatively stable years.
According to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, the increase was not evenly distributed. More than two-thirds of all reported cases occurred in Southeast Asia, while activity in other regions remained comparatively limited. The report makes clear that regional concentration, rather than a broad global deterioration, defines the 2025 piracy landscape.
The IMB states that of the 137 incidents recorded in 2025, 121 vessels were boarded, 10 attacks were attempted, four vessels were hijacked, and two were fired upon. Perpetrators were successful in 91% of cases, continuing a pattern seen in recent years.
In regional terms, Southeast Asia accounted for 95 incidents, followed by Africa with 29, the Indian Sub-Continent with eight, and the Americas with five. Six locations together accounted for 81% of all incidents, underscoring the highly concentrated nature of the risk.
Singapore Straits dominate global statistics
The most notable trend in the 2025 data is the sharp rise in incidents in the Singapore Straits, which emerged as the single most affected location worldwide. The IMB recorded 80 incidents in the area, up from 43 in 2024 and 37 in 2023. These cases alone accounted for over 58% of all piracy and armed robbery incidents globally.
While the IMB characterises these attacks as low-level and opportunistic, the report highlights several important shifts. Weapon carriage increased sharply, with guns reported in 27 Singapore Straits incidents in 2025, compared with eight the previous year. The Straits also saw attacks on large commercial vessels, including 21 ships over 100,000 dwt, among them two crude oil tankers exceeding 300,000 dwt, most of which were successfully boarded.
The majority of these incidents occurred while vessels were underway, reflecting the operational risks associated with dense traffic and narrow sea lanes.
Africa: fewer incidents, continued violence against crews
In West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, the IMB recorded 21 incidents in 2025, slightly up from 18 in 2024 and close to the 22 reported in 2023. While the overall number of incidents remained contained, the region continued to stand out for the severity of violence against crews.
According to the report, the Gulf of Guinea accounted for four kidnapping incidents involving 23 crew members in 2025. Additional cases involved hostage-taking and injuries, indicating that, despite lower overall activity than in past years, crew-related risks remain concentrated in this region.
Waters off Somalia show continued capability
The IMB recorded five incidents in waters off Somalia in 2025, including three hijackings, one boarding, and one vessel fired upon. One chemical tanker was fired upon in November while underway approximately 330 nautical miles east-southeast of Mogadishu.
The report notes that these incidents demonstrate the continued capability of Somali pirates, including their ability to operate at considerable distances from shore, despite ongoing naval patrols.
Crew safety and use of weapons
Across all regions, violence against crew members remained a defining feature of piracy incidents in 2025. The IMB reports that 46 crew members were taken hostage, down from 126 in 2024, while 25 crew were kidnapped during the year. In addition, 10 crew were threatened, four injured, and three assaulted.
The Singapore Straits alone accounted for 14 hostages, eight threats, three injuries, and one assault, highlighting the human impact of the surge in incidents there.
The report also points to a broader trend towards greater weapon use. Guns were reported in 42 incidents globally in 2025, compared with 26 in 2024 and 15 in 2023, while knives were recorded in 33 cases.
