The world’s oceans have become less safe in 2025. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) recorded a significant increase in incidents of piracy and violence in its annual report published on Thursday.
Accordingly, 137 incidents were recorded worldwide, an increase of more than 18% compared to 2024 (116 incidents).
Of the reported incidents, 121 were boarding actions, four ships were hijacked, two were shot at and ten were attempts. A total of 46 seafarers were taken hostage, 25 kidnapped, ten threatened, four injured and three attacked. Particularly striking: firearms were used in 42 cases, significantly more than in the previous year (26).
“Maritime trade is central to economic development and growth. If trade routes are disrupted, this has a direct impact on the global economy. The IMB report makes it clear how crucial the protection of maritime trade routes, and above all the crews, is,” emphasizes Oliver Wieck, Secretary General of ICC Germany.
Singapore Strait and Somalia remain “hotspots”
With 80 recorded attacks (2024: 43), the Singapore Strait remains the most dangerous area worldwide and accounts for 58% of all reports. Although many attacks are considered minor, the possession of weapons by the perpetrators increased significantly: 27 such reports compared to eight in the previous year. However, the number of incidents decreased in the second half of the year after the Indonesian marine police arrested two gangs in July 2025.
Two armed incidents off Somalia in November 2025
There was no further increase off the coast of Somalia. However, two incidents in November, 2025 far from the coast, show that armed groups can still operate over long distances. In both cases, prepared crews and rapid military support prevented more serious consequences.
A tanker flying the Maltese flag was attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean: The “Hellas Aphrodite” was fired upon and boarded around 560 nm southeast of Eyl and more than 700 nm off Mogadishu, with the attackers using small arms and anti-tank grenades; the crew of 24 was able to retreat to the Citadel. The EU’s Atalanta mission confirmed the incident and dispatched a nearby Spanish frigate, while security advisors are assuming a suspected hijacking by a group that is said to have attempted two previous attacks.
As recently as November 3, another chemical tanker, the “Stolt Sagaland”, was attacked, with Atalanta suspecting that a hijacked Iranian dhow was serving as the mother ship. The authorities warn of increased pirate activity within a radius of 100 nm and call for vigilant reporting of suspicious observations.
Gulf of Guinea: more pirate attacks
A total of 21 incidents were reported in the Gulf of Guinea in 2025, compared to 18 in the previous year. Despite regional improvements and closer cooperation, kidnappings and hostage-taking are still part of the risk profile, warns the IMB.
The number of cases is rising, the use of weapons is increasing and central sea routes are coming under growing pressure. Where naval presence and clear security procedures are effective, the risk is decreasing. If vigilance decreases, new scope for action is created for criminal groups.
The IMB’s Piracy Reporting Center, founded in 1991, works as an international reporting center for piracy incidents and supports threatened ships. The data collected there forms the basis for the IMB’s annual situation analyses.
