Maritime piracy incidents remain at historic lows despite Somali piracy concerns
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported the lowest level (51) of piracy and armed robbery incidents since 1992 in the first nine months of 2026. However, a recent resurgence of Somali piracy incidents highlights the continued risks facing seafarers, with IMB urging vigilance, timely reporting and strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP). ...
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported a historic low of 51 piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first nine months of 2026, marking the lowest level since 1992. This decline follows a recent resurgence of Somali piracy incidents, with 8 vessels hijacked and 94% of all crew taken hostage globally. The IMB urges vigilance, timely reporting, and strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP) to deter hijacking attempts and protect crews.
Despite the overall decrease in incidents, the threat of violence against crew remains a concern, with 105 crew members directly affected in 2026, up from 72 in 2025. The threat of Somali piracy in the region remains, with Puntland authorities reporting the killing of 5 crew members and injuries to 5 others during the hijacking of the Palau-flagged product tanker Honour 25 on April 21, 2026.
Brief written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
