During the first six months of 2025, 90 pirate attacks were recorded worldwide, representing a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) on piracy and armed robbery incidents against merchant vessels. This figure is the highest since 2020.
According to the report, from January to June 2025 a total of 79 vessels were boarded, four were hijacked, one was fired upon, and six other attacks were attempted. Violence against crew members remains high: 40 seafarers were taken hostage, 16 kidnapped, five threatened, and three injured or assaulted.
By region, the Singapore Strait has solidified its position as the world’s main piracy hotspot, with 57 reported attacks—accounting for 63.3% of the global total and nearly quadrupling the figure from the same period in 2024. According to the IMB report, most boardings in these waters occur on vessels over 150,000 tons, with a 95% success rate for the attackers. Although considered low-level opportunistic crimes, the use of weapons and the vulnerability of crews are raising increasing concern.
In other traditionally high-risk areas, such as Somalia and the Red Sea, no new incidents have been reported since April 2025. However, the IMB warns that the threat remains and could resurface with the seasonal change and the end of the monsoon. Southeast Asia beyond the Singapore Strait, as well as South America, show stable figures, although sporadic incidents still require attention.
For IMB Director Michael Howlett, “The Singapore Strait is a critical shipping route, with vessels carrying nearly 30% of global trade. This rise in incidents is deeply concerning, as it endangers the safety of seafarers and the stability of international trade.” Howlett emphasizes that “crew safety and the protection of trade routes must be a priority, and it is essential that shipowners and officers strictly follow the recommended Best Management Practices.”
The full IMB report on piracy and armed robbery for the first half of 2025 can be downloaded at the following link.
