Pirates on the attack again. Boardings increased in 2025
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- Category: Pirateria
- Published on Monday, 26 January 2026 07:39
- Written by Administrator2
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Acts of piracy in the Singapore Strait almost doubled: 80, compared to 43 in 2024. Worldwide signals 137 incidents
The number of acts of piracy at sea continues to rise. The close of 2025 confirms the warnings reported in previous months, with a particular incidence in the Straits of Singapore, where the highest number of reported incidents was recorded. The data comes from the annual report of the International maritime bureau (Imb), a monitoring body of the ICC (International chambre of commerce), which reported, globally, an increase in piracy and armed robbery at sea in 2025, although it classified most cases as 'low level'.
Last year, Imb notes, there were 137 incidents against ships, compared to 116 in 2024 and 120 in 2023. And 80 acts of piracy occurred in the Straits of Singapore, compared to 43 in 2024; almost a doubling, in short. These incidents accounted for more than half (58 per cent) of the incidents reported worldwide during the past year.
The violence against crews continues
More specifically, the report points out that, on a global scale, 121 boats were boarded, four were hijacked and fire was opened on two; to this should be added 10 attempted attacks. Although most of the incidents reported during the past year were classified as low-level, violence against crews has not stopped. 46 men were taken hostage in 2025, compared to 126 in 2024 and 73 in 2023. In addition, 25 crew members were kidnapped, compared to 12 in 2024 and 14 in 2023. Another 10 were threatened, four injured and three assaulted, in 2025.
A not particularly encouraging sign is that the use of firearms continues to increase. Last year, 42 incidents involving the use of that type of weapon were reported, compared to 26 in 2024. Knife use, on the other hand, was reported in 33 incidents in 2025, compared to 39 in 2024.
In Somalia attacks far from the coast
Looking at piracy hotspots around the world, Imb points out that, as far as Somalia is concerned, although only a limited number of assaults were reported off its coast in 2025, two attacks occurred far from the coast in November, demonstrating that Somali pirate groups still have the ability to operate remotely. In both cases, says the report, 'well-prepared crews, together with the rapid response of naval forces, ensured the safety of ships and crews'.
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