The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recently released a report stating that in the first nine months of 2026, 51 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were reported worldwide, the lowest for the corresponding period since 1992.

However, the resurgence of Somali piracy, together with continuing threats to crew members on major shipping routes, shows that vigilance, timely reporting and compliance with the Best Management Practices (BMP) remain necessary. According to the ICC-IMB Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships Report: January – September 2026, reported incidents fell from 116 in the same period of 2025 to 51 this year. Of these, 36 ships were boarded, eight were hijacked, four were fired upon, and three were targeted during attempted boarding.

Despite the overall decline in the number of incidents, perpetrators successfully boarded the ship in 86% of reported incidents, and most boardings occurred at night. Threats to crew safety remain serious: 105 crew members were directly affected in the first nine months of 2026, compared with 72 in the same period last year. Weapons were reported in 53% of incidents.

Resurgence of Somali Piracy

Although the global number of incidents remains at a historic low, the IMB recorded an increase in Somali piracy activity in the first nine months of 2026. During this period, all eight ship hijackings reported worldwide were carried out by Somali pirates, and 94% of crew members taken hostage globally were linked to them.

Most hijacked vessels have since been released, with their crews reported safe. The IMB noted that ships implementing the latest BMP recommendations continued to successfully thwart hijacking attempts, including in cases where pirates had already succeeded in boarding.

However, the risk remains significant. In late September, authorities in Puntland, Somalia, reported that five crew members were killed and five injured before the release of the Palau-flagged product tanker Honour 25, which had been hijacked on 21 April 2026.

These incidents show that Somali pirates still have the capacity to target ships in the region. The IMB cautioned, however, that current activity cannot be compared in scale and scope with the deep-sea piracy operations seen during the Somali piracy period of 2008–2013.

Commenting on the findings, Michael Howlett, Director of the IMB, said the recent increase in Somali piracy activity was a reminder that, although the number of reported incidents was at a historic low, the threat remained.

He stressed that strict adherence to BMP recommendations remained one of the most effective measures for thwarting hijacking attempts and protecting crews, adding that continued vigilance was essential to protecting seafarers and the global trade routes on which the global economy depends.

Fewer Incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and Singapore Strait

From January to September 2026, only two incidents were recorded in the Gulf of Guinea, and no incidents were reported in the final quarter of that period. The IMB praised the continued efforts of coastal states in the region in keeping piracy and armed robbery incidents at a low level.

Reported incidents in the Singapore Strait also fell sharply, from 73 in the same period of 2025 to 13 in the first nine months of 2026.

Despite the improvement, these incidents still highlight the continuing risks faced by crews passing through this busy waterway. Two crew members were taken hostage, two others were threatened, and one was injured. In more than 69% of incidents, perpetrators were armed with firearms or knives, and all targeted ships were successfully boarded.

The IMB attributed the decline in reported incidents to the efforts of regional authorities, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining security measures and promptly reporting all incidents.

Piracy Incidents Continue in Indonesia and the Philippines

From January to September 2026, six incidents were reported in the Indonesian archipelago, down from nine in the same period last year. Weapons were reported in one of these incidents, and one crew member was taken hostage.

Reported incidents in the Philippines increased, with nine anchored ships boarded during the period. Six of these occurred in Manila and three in Batangas, whereas no incidents were reported in the first nine months of 2025.

In these incidents, two crew members were taken hostage, and weapons were reported in five cases.

Howlett said the declines in the Gulf of Guinea and the Singapore Strait were encouraging and reflected the positive results of continued efforts by the authorities. He emphasized that continued vigilance and timely reporting remained essential to sustaining this progress.

The latest IMB findings highlight that, although the global number of reported piracy and armed robbery incidents has fallen significantly, the risks faced by crews remain uneven across regions. The resurgence of Somali piracy, together with continuing boardings and hostage-taking in Asian waters, further demonstrates the need for shipowners and ship operators to maintain effective security measures and ensure that crews comply with established BMP recommendations.