Piracy continues to pose a significant security risk for global shipping, with the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) annual reports identifying five maritime zones that consistently register the highest incidence of attacks.
The Singapore Strait, which extends through the Malay Strait and adjacent waters of the South China Sea, remains a focal point for maritime piracy. In the first half of 2024, the IMB recorded 13 incidents, 11 of which involved firearms or edged weapons, and six attacks that resulted in a total of 10 crew members being taken hostage.
These figures suggest a downward trend: the 2022 calendar year saw 55 incidents, while the first six months of 2023 logged 20. The area’s status as one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes—coupled with overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea—continues to make it a lucrative target for pirate groups.
Surrounding the Indian Archipelago—including the Celebes, Banda, and Java Seas—the IMB reports a resurgence in piracy activity. Twelve incidents were recorded in the first half of 2024, the highest count since the first six months of 2021, when 15 attacks were reported.
Most of these events took place near Dumai, Indonesia, with pirates wielding knives or firearms. The uptick underscores the need for heightened vigilance among vessels traversing these waters.
The Gulf of Guinea, encompassing the Niger Delta, experienced ten piracy and armed‑robbery incidents during the first half of 2024.
Although the region’s incident rate has declined markedly—dropping from 43% of global piracy events in 2021 to a far lower figure—pirates continue to target cargo ships and fishing vessels, seeking ransoms or valuable cargo. The gulf’s proximity to major sea routes amplifies the security challenge for international maritime traffic.
In 2023, the northern waters off South America recorded 19 piracy incidents, averaging 9.5 attacks per six‑month period—a decline from 24 incidents in 2022.
Fourteen of those attacks occurred around Callao, Peru, where pirates used guns or knives to seize several crew members. Additional incidents were reported near Macapa, Brazil, and Puerto Bolivar, Colombia.
The Somali coast—including the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean—has long been notorious for piracy. Historically, ships reported 200 incidents annually between 2009 and 2011; however, the situation has improved. The IMB recorded eight piracy and armed‑robbery incidents in the first half of 2024.
The Red Sea, accessed via the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, remained a hotspot: from November 2023 to April 2024, 18 vessels were hijacked, with Houthi militia also responsible for numerous other incidents. Adverse weather and territorial disputes continue to create a conducive environment for violent attacks, despite ongoing international naval patrols.
Overall, while trends show a general decline in piracy incidents across these high‑risk zones, the threat persists. Shipping companies and crews must remain informed and proactive to ensure safe passage through these waters.
