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Silas

The latest data indicate that piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships have surged significantly in 2025. Between January and June, there were 90 reported incidents worldwide, marking a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and representing the highest number of incidents since 2020[5][6]. Out of these, 79 ships were boarded, 6 experienced attempted attacks, 4 were hijacked, and 1 was fired upon. Concerns about the safety of crews persist, with 40 crew members taken hostage, 16 kidnapped, and several others threatened, assaulted, or injured[5][6].

The Singapore Strait has become the epicenter of this spike, recording 57 incidents in the first half of 2025. This is a dramatic rise from the 15 cases reported during the same period last year, now accounting for roughly 63% of all piracy incidents globally. Most attacks here are considered low-level but are made more dangerous by the frequent use of guns and knives. The rate of successful boardings on large vessels in these congested waters is estimated at 95%. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and other authorities have urged heightened vigilance due to the vital importance of this route for world trade and the increased risk to crews[5][6].

The Gulf of Guinea remains a high-risk region for crew abductions, recording 12 incidents and 87% of global crew kidnappings despite fewer total attacks compared to Southeast Asia. Authorities recommend that vessels transiting known hot spots like the Singapore Strait and the Gulf of Guinea strictly follow recommended safety practices[5].

While acts of violence against crews have declined in some areas, the overall threat level remains elevated. In the second quarter of 2025, 45 pirate attacks on ships were reported—matching numbers from earlier in the year and representing a 67% increase over the same quarter in 2024. However, the number of violent acts against ship crews has drastically decreased: only 14 such incidents were reported from April to June, compared to 53 during the same period last year[1]. For instance, three seafarers were taken hostage, three kidnapped, two injured, and several others threatened.

Recent incidents highlight the continued geographic spread and evolving tactics of pirates:

  • On May 30, 2025, three unarmed perpetrators boarded the ‘Powan’ near Jakarta and stole engine spares without injuring the crew.
  • On May 28, 2025, the ‘Mount Aso’ was boarded by seven armed attackers at Chittagong, stealing unsecured items.
  • Similar incidents took place off Ho Chi Minh and Pulau Cula in late May, occasionally resulting in minor injuries or theft of ship’s stores[3].

Monitoring by international organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and IMB continue, with live incident maps and regular reporting to help crews and ship operators stay informed about risk areas[7][8].

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