• Maritime piracy cases rise to 116, highest since 2021

• Singapore Strait reports 73 attacks, worst since 1991

• IMB urges stronger regional cooperation to boost vessel security
  

Global maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents rose to 116 in the first nine months of 2025, a significant jump from 79 during the same period last year. This marks the highest nine-month total since 2021, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) informs in its quarterly reports. 

The report documented 102 vessels boarded, nine attempted attacks, four hijackings, and one vessel fired upon. In 91% of the reported cases, attackers successfully accessed the ship, with most assaults occurring at night.

Incidents in the Gulf of Guinea increased to 15, up from 12 in the first nine months of 2024. Ten of these were classified as armed robberies, with the remaining five being piracy.

In contrast, no incidents were reported in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden during the third quarter of 2025. The IMB attributed this temporary lull to the prevailing southwest monsoon, but urged continued caution. The report noted that 26 crew members had been taken hostage on two fishing vessels in the area during the first half of the year.

Southeast Asia saw a sharp resurgence in incidents, with the Singapore Strait recording 73 cases between January and September 2025, the highest number since 1991. However, the report noted a decline in attacks since July following the arrest of two pirate gangs by the Indonesian Marine Police.

IMB Director Michael Howlett recommended enhanced cooperation among states to mitigate security risks. “We urge the continued use of collaborative frameworks and commend the efforts undertaken by regional authorities that has contained incident levels and enhanced security of crews and vessels globally,” Howlett said.

Henoc Dossa