Piracy: A continuing threat to seafarers in Marine Insurance P&I Club News 31/01/2026 Global piracy rose in 2025, with regional patterns varying and some areas showing improvements. Most incidents were low severity and fewer crew suffered physical harm, yet the aggressive behaviour of perpetrators can still have serious psychological impacts on seafarers. Positive and negative trends in global piracy Global piracy and armed robbery incidents increased by 23% in 2025 compared to 2024, according to the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC). While this overall increase is concerning, a closer look at the figures reveals encouraging trends and improvements in specific regions and operational areas: Incidents in Gulf of Guinea waters remained at historically low levels also in 2025. However, crew safety continues to be a concern, as the number of kidnapped crew increased from 12 in 2024 to 23 in 2025, and the region accounted for 92% of all crew kidnappings worldwide during the year. Reports of renewed Somali pirate activity sparked significant concern in 2023-24, and another five incidents were recorded off the Somali coast in 2025. This included the hijacking of two fishing vessels and a dhow, with a total of 26 crew members taken hostage. Two incidents occurred at considerable distances from the Somali coastline, demonstrating the Somali pirates continued operational reach and capability. With five incidents recorded in the Americas in 2025, the region experienced a second consecutive year of relatively low activity. However, an incident off Haiti resulted in the abduction of two crew members from a drifting bulk carrier, the first recorded kidnapping in the region in the past decade. Armed robbery in Southeast Asian waters, particularly in the Singapore Strait, continued in 2025. According to the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC), 2025 saw the highest number of incidents in the Strait since 2007. Arrests of suspected armed robbers in July and August 2024 helped reduce incidents in the second half of 2025. However, four incidents recorded in the Singapore Strait between 1–27 January 2026 serves as reminder that the threat remains. Impact on crew On a positive note, the IMB PRC reported a substantial year-on-year decrease in the in the number of crew impacted by piracy incidents globally, with 88 directly impacted in 2025 versus 151 in 2024. This decline can partly be attributed to fewer hostages taken in incidents off the Somali coast and also reflects a reduction in the severity of incidents in Southeast Asian waters, as confirmed by ReCAAP ISC’s 2025 figures. However, the continued use of weapons and threats against crews remains a worrying trend. The IMB PRC reported that 46 crew members were taken hostage, 25 kidnapped, 10 threatened, four injured and three assaulted. The agency also noted a rise in the use of guns, reported in 30% of all incidents in 2025 compared with 22% in 2024. Knives and other weapons were also commonly observed, as confirmed by ReCAAP ISC. Although these weapons were often not used to harm crew directly, but rather to cut mooring ropes, remove secured items, restrict crew movement, or compel the surrender of personal belongings, piracy incidents can nevertheless have a deep and lasting psychological impact on those who experience them. Regional trends: a closer look AFRICA According to th