IMB: Lowest January to September piracy levels in over three decades

October 18 ------ The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported 51 piracy and armed robbery incidents against ships worldwide in the first nine months of 2026, the lowest level for the period since 1992.

However, a resurgence of Somali piracy and continued threats to seafarers in key shipping routes underline the need for vigilance, timely reporting and adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP). According to the ICC-IMB Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships Report: January – September 2026, the number of reported incidents fell from 116 in January-September 2025 to 51 in the same period this year. Of these, 36 vessels were boarded, eight hijacked, four fired upon and three targeted in attempted boardings.

Despite the overall decline, perpetrators successfully gained access to vessels in 86% of reported incidents, with most boarding incidents occurring at night. The threat to crew safety also remains significant, with 105 crew members directly affected during the first nine months of 2026, compared with 72 in the same period last year. Weapons were reported in 53% of incidents.

Somali piracy resurgence raises concerns

Although global incident levels remain at historic lows, the IMB has recorded a rise in Somali piracy activity during the first nine months of 2026. Somali pirates were responsible for all eight reported vessel hijackings and 94% of crew taken hostage worldwide during the period.

Most of the hijacked vessels have since been released, with their crews reported safe. The IMB notes that ships implementing the latest BMP recommendations have continued to deter hijacking attempts successfully, including in cases where pirates managed to board the vessels. However, the risks remain substantial. In late September, Puntland authorities reported that five crew members had been killed and five injured before the release of the Palau-flagged product tanker Honour 25, which was hijacked on 21 April 2026.

The incidents demonstrate that Somali pirates retain the capability to target vessels in the region. Nevertheless, the IMB cautions that the current activity does not compare in scale or reach with the deep-sea piracy operations that characterized the 2008-2013 Somali piracy era.

Commenting on the findings, IMB Director Michael Howlett said the recent increase in Somali piracy activity serves as a reminder that the threat persists despite the historically low number of reported incidents. He stressed that strict adherence to BMP recommendations remains one of the most effective measures for deterring hijacking attempts and protecting crews, adding that continued vigilance is essential to safeguarding seafarers and the global trade routes on which the economy depends.

Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits see fewer incidents

The Gulf of Guinea recorded just two incidents between January and September 2026, with none reported in the final quarter of the period. The IMB commended the region’s littoral states for their continued efforts to keep piracy and armed robbery incidents at low levels.

Reported incidents in the Singapore Straits also declined significantly, falling to 13 in the first nine months of 2026 from 73 during the corresponding period in 2025.

Despite the improvement, the incidents highlight continuing risks for crews transiting the busy waterway. Two crew members were taken hostage, another two were threatened and one was injured. In more than 69% of incidents, perpetrators were armed with guns or knives, and all targeted vessels were successfully boarded.

The IMB credited the efforts of regional authorities with contributing to the reduction in reported incidents, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining security measures and reporting all incidents promptly. "The drop in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits is encouraging and reflects the positive impact of sustained efforts by the authorities. It is important to maintain this momentum through continued vigilance and timely reporting of all incidents," said Howlett.

Incidents persist in Indonesia and the Philippines

In the Indonesian Archipelago, six incidents were reported during January-September 2026, down from nine in the same period last year. Weapons were reported in one incident, during which a crew member was also taken hostage.

The Philippines recorded a rise in reported incidents, with nine anchored vessels boarded during the period. Six incidents occurred in Manila and three in Batangas, compared with no reported incidents in the first nine months of 2025. Two crew members were taken hostage in the incidents, while weapons were reported in five cases.

Howlett said the reductions in the Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Straits were encouraging and reflected the positive impact of sustained efforts by authorities. He emphasized that continued vigilance and timely reporting remain essential to maintaining progress.

The IMB’s latest findings underline that, while the global number of reported piracy and armed robbery incidents has fallen sharply, the risks to seafarers remain uneven across regions.

The resurgence of Somali piracy, alongside continued boarding and hostage-taking incidents in Asian waters, reinforces the need for shipowners and operators to maintain effective security measures and ensure crews follow established BMP recommendations.

Source: safety4sea.com