Reported piracy and armed robbery against ships fell to its lowest level in more than three decades in the first nine months of 2026. The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recorded 51 incidents from January to September, down from 116 in the same period of 2025. It is the lowest nine-month figure since 1992, IMB said in its report released on 15 October.
Fewer incidents does not mean less danger for crews. IMB said 105 crew were directly affected, compared with 72 in the same period last year. Weapons were identified in 53% of reported incidents.
The International Chamber of Commerce announced the figures on its official X account on 15 October. The post below includes a graphic showing the 51 incidents reported in the first nine months of 2026.
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Key figures, January to September 2026
36 vessels boarded, eight hijacked, four fired upon and three attempted boardings.
In 86% of incidents, attackers got on board while the ship was at anchor or steaming. Most boardings happened at night.
Singapore Straits: 13 incidents, down from 73 in the same period of 2025.
Gulf of Guinea: two incidents, with none in the last quarter.
Indonesian archipelago: six incidents, down from nine.
Philippines: nine anchored vessels boarded (six in Manila, three in Batangas), compared with no incidents in 2025.
Somali piracy returns
IMB recorded a rise in Somali piracy this year. Somali pirates carried out all eight hijackings and accounted for 94% of all crew taken hostage worldwide. Most hijacked vessels have been released and their crews reported safe.
The Palau-flagged product tanker Honour 25, hijacked on 21 April 2026, was an exception. Puntland authorities reported in late September that five crew members were killed and five injured before the ship was released.
IMO said on 2 October that 44 seafarers had been freed from three hijacked vessels: Honour 25, Seamull (also known as Sibu 1) and Eureka. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez called for continued efforts to free the 22 seafarers still held on board the Asana.
IMB says ships following the latest Best Management Practices (BMP) have continued to deter hijacking attempts, even when pirates managed to board. It also notes that current Somali activity is not comparable in scale or reach to the deep-sea piracy of 2008-2013.
Incidents this year have also shown that strict adherence to BMP recommendations remains one of the most effective ways to deter hijacking attempts and protect crews. - Michael Howlett, IMB Director
Still a risk in Asian waters
In the Singapore Straits, attackers boarded every targeted vessel, and guns or knives were reported in over 69% of incidents. Two crew were taken hostage, two were threatened and one was injured. In the Philippines, two crew members were taken hostage and weapons were reported in five cases.
What it means for crews
When trading off Somalia and in the wider region, follow the latest BMP and your ship security plan. IMO also urges ships to carry out thorough security risk assessments.
Keep a strong watch at anchor and at night, when most boardings take place.
Report all actual, attempted and suspected incidents to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, which works as a 24-hour contact point. IMB says reporting helps authorities send resources where they are needed.
Cover photo: USS Anzio deploys a boarding team during counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, October 2009. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor, U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Sources: ICC Commercial Crime Services: Maritime piracy incidents remain at historic lows despite Somali piracy concerns (15 Oct 2026), ICC: Maritime piracy incidents remain at historic lows despite Somali piracy concerns (15 Oct 2026), IMO: Secretary-General mourns seafarers killed during rescue of hijacked ship (2 Oct 2026), Baird Maritime: IMB records 51 piracy incidents in nine months (16 Oct 2026).
