The latest global maritime piracy statistics reveal a sharp increase in attacks during the first half of 2025, with 90 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported—a 50% rise compared to the same period in 2024 and the highest number seen since 2020[2][6]. Of these, 79 vessels were boarded, six attacks were attempted, four hijackings occurred, and one vessel was fired upon. Crew safety remains a major concern, with reports of 40 crew members taken hostage, 16 kidnapped, five threatened, and three each assaulted and injured[2][6].
The Singapore Straits are now the world’s piracy hotspot, accounting for 57 of the global incidents—about 63% of the total—and the area is seeing a surge in incidents on large vessels, with nearly all attempted boardings succeeding[2][6]. Armed criminals using guns and knives have been reported in 34 of the 57 Singapore Straits cases[2][6], with 13 crew members held hostage, five threatened, three injured, and one assaulted during these attacks. The region is a critical shipping route, handling roughly 30% of global trade, raising serious concerns for both crew well-being and international commerce security[2][6].
Elsewhere, the Gulf of Guinea remains the primary region for crew kidnappings, making up 87% of these worldwide incidents during the first half of 2025, even though the overall number of attacks there has decreased to 12. The risk to seafarers in this region remains significant[2]. Although no new attacks off Somalia have been reported since April 2025, the area continues to be listed as high-risk by maritime authorities, with caution urged as seasonal ocean conditions change[2][6].
The International Maritime Organization’s report for March 2025 recorded 24 acts of piracy and armed robbery in a single month, including specific incidents in Colombia and Malaysia waters. In one Colombian case, eight unauthorized persons boarded a vessel, prompting emergency protocols; in another, a Malaysian tug reported perpetrators boarding and later leaving without harming the crew[8].
Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of vigilance and adherence to recommended anti-piracy practices for ships transiting known high-risk waters[2][6].
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