A whopping 35% increase in the rate of piracy around the world has been recorded in the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
There were a total of 45 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the first quarter of 2025.
There were 37 ships that were boarded, four were hijacked, and four had attempted hijacks. There were 37 hostages taken, 13 people were kidnapped, two were threatened and one was injured. The presence of guns was reported in 14 incidents.
The more serious offences happened in known trouble spots, such as in the waters off Somalia (East Africa) or the waters off West Africa (in the Gulf of Guinea). For instance, in March, pirates hijacked a bitumen tanker southeast of the African island nation Sao Tome and Principe and kidnapped ten crew.
“The safety of crew members in the Gulf of Guinea remains at greater risk. It is essential to maintain a strong regional and international naval presence to address these incidents and ensure the protection of seafarers,” IMB Director Michael Howlett said.
Surge of trouble in the Singapore Straits
However, much of the surge in this volume of maritime crime was driven by a surge of activity in the Singapore Straits.
In Q1 2025, there were 27 reported incidents in the Singapore Straits, whereas the average figure for the first quarters from 2021 to 2024 was just over 9. Last year, in Q1 2024, there were only seven incidents.
There were successful boarding in 92% of all vessels targeted in the Singapore Straits, including nine bulkers and tankers over 100,000 deadweight.
“The reported rise of incidents in the Singapore Straits is concerning, highlighting the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers navigating these waters. Ensuring the security of these vital routes is essential and all necessary measures must be taken to safeguard crew members,” said IMB Director Michael Howlett.
Under Article 101 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime piracy is any illegal acts of violence or detention, or any act of depredation, committed for private ends by the crew or the passengers of a private ship and directed on the high seas, against another ship, or against persons or property on board the ship.
ReCaap urges vigilence
Singapore-based ReCAAP – an information sharing centre that also reports on maritime crime, echoed the concerns of the IMB. In ReCAAP’s quarterly report, a similar number of incidents were reported and it also noted with increasing concern the growing number of incidents in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
“The littoral States are encouraged to increase patrols/surveillance in their waters, respond promptly to incidents reported by ships, strengthen coordination and promote information sharing on incidents and criminal groups involved to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators,” ReCAAP stated in its quarterly report.
ReCAAP also urged ship masters and crew to be vigilant, to maximise lookouts, to sound the alarm, to stay aware (use advisories, broadcasts etc0 and to immediately report all incidents to the nearest coastal states.
