Piracy Incidents Surge Along Key Trade Route

Maritime bureau urges vigilance as Singapore Strait sees dramatic rise in armed robberies.

The first half of 2025 saw a dramatic 50% increase in piracy and armed robbery against ships, according to a new mid-year report. The rise in incidents, especially around the Singapore Strait, a crucial artery for global trade, is raising alarms.

Sharp Increase in Attacks

Figures from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reveal 90 incidents were reported during the first six months of 2025, a steep climb from the 60 incidents reported during the same period in 2024. This marks the highest rate of incidents for the first half of any year since 2020.

The IMB is expressing strong concern, noting that in 90% of reported cases, vessels were successfully boarded, even while underway. Worryingly, the mid-year total is already three-quarters of the total 116 incidents reported for all of 2024.

Singapore Strait Hotspot

Approximately two-thirds of all reported incidents occurred in the vicinity of the Singapore Strait. Reports to the IMB detail 57 incidents in the first half of 2025, a massive jump from the mere 15 incidents reported during the same timeframe last year.

The recent surge in piracy is impacting insurance rates, with underwriters carefully assessing risk profiles for vessels transiting the Singapore Strait (Marine Insurance, 2025).

Details of Attacks

“The boarding of large vessels exceeding 150,000 dwt in this narrow and congested waterway remains a significant concern, particularly given the 95 percent success rate of boardings in the Singapore Strait,” the IMB report stated.

Despite being relatively low-level incidents, the continued use of weapons is cause for alarm. Guns and knives were used in 34 of the 57 reported incidents. Crew safety remains a major concern, with reports of 13 crew members held hostage, five threatened, three injured, and one assaulted.

Regional Authorities Sound Alarm

The ReCAAP, a regional operation monitoring incidents in Asia, has also voiced its concerns about the rising number of incidents, particularly around the Singapore Strait. Their data shows 107 reported incidents across Asia thus far in 2025.

During the week of June 30 to July 7, ReCAAP reported 11 armed robbery incidents in Asia, all targeting vessels in the eastbound lane of the Singapore Strait. Engine spare parts were stolen in four of these cases, and in one instance, a CMA CGM containership discovered that boarders had been on board for 10 minutes without detection.

Global Impact

Overall, the IMB calculates that 40 crew members have been taken hostage, 16 kidnapped, five threatened, three assaulted, and three injured in 2025. While the Gulf of Guinea recorded fewer incidents overall, it accounted for 87% of crew kidnappings, with 12 incidents reported, consistent with recent years.

Other regions remained relatively calm, with only a few piracy incidents reported. The IMB urges vigilance, noting that risks remain, especially off the coast of Somalia as monsoon season subsides.