Maritime Piracy Surges in 2025 as Singapore Straits Emerges as World’s Most Dangerous Waters

January 21st, 2026

The world’s busiest shipping lanes saw a dramatic surge in maritime piracy and armed robbery in 2025, with the Singapore Straits accounting for more than half of all reported incidents globally, according to a new report from the International Maritime Bureau.

The ICC International Maritime Bureau documented 137 incidents against ships in 2025, up from 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023, marking a concerning upward trend in maritime security threats. While most incidents were classified as low-level, the report reveals a troubling escalation in violence and the use of firearms at sea.

The Singapore Straits recorded 80 incidents in 2025—nearly double the 43 reported in 2024—representing 58 percent of all global maritime incidents. What sets these attacks apart is not just their frequency but their increasingly violent nature. Reports of guns in the Singapore Straits jumped from eight in 2024 to 27 in 2025, with 14 crew members taken hostage, eight threatened, three injured and one assaulted.

“Timely reporting is key to preventing further incidents and protecting other vessels in the area,” said IMB Director Michael Howlett. “We continue to urge all ships to report incidents promptly, so that risks can be better understood and effective measures taken to protect crews and vessels.”

The report noted a significant decline in Singapore Straits incidents during the second half of 2025, following the Indonesian Marine Police’s apprehension of two criminal gangs in July.

Globally, the 2025 figures reveal that 121 vessels were boarded, four were hijacked, two were fired upon, and 10 attacks were attempted. The human toll remains significant, with 25 crew members kidnapped—more than double the 12 kidnapped in 2024.

The use of weapons continues to escalate. Guns were reported in 42 incidents in 2025 compared to 26 in 2024, while knives appeared in 33 incidents.

“Maritime trade remains a cornerstone of real economic activity and growth,” said ICC Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO. “The rise in reported maritime incidents 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 that depend on them.”

Off the Somali coast, naval presence continues to serve as an effective deterrent. Although only a small number of incidents were reported in 2025, two attacks in November occurred far from shore, demonstrating that Somali pirate groups retain the capability to operate at range. In both cases, well-prepared crews and swift naval responses ensured vessel and crew safety.

“Reported incidents off the Somali coast highlight the ongoing importance of a sustained naval presence in these trade-critical waters,” Howlett said.

The Gulf of Guinea saw 21 incidents in 2025, up slightly from 18 in 2024, with the region accounting for 23 crew kidnappings across four separate incidents.

The Indonesian archipelago showed improvement, with incidents decreasing from 22 in 2024 to 12 in 2025.

The IMB, which has operated its 24-hour Piracy Reporting Centre since 1991, continues to urge shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected incidents as a vital first step in ensuring adequate resources are allocated to combat maritime piracy.