Maritime Crime and Piracy at All-Time Low, Crew Threats Persist

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a decrease in piracy incidents in the period of January-September 2024, with 79 incidents compared to 99 in the same period last year. This represents the lowest reported numbers since 1994. Among the incidents, 62 vessels were boarded, six hijacked, and nine faced attempted attacks, with most incidents occurring at night. Violence towards crew members remains a concern, with perpetrators armed with weapons in 45 reported incidents.

The Indonesian Archipelago saw an increase in reported incidents, with 17 reported in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 12 in 2023. In this region, 27 crew were taken hostage and one crew was threatened. While the Gulf of Guinea, Somalia, and Singapore Straits saw fewer incidents, concerns remain over the safety of crew members. IMB commends the work of governments and law enforcement in reducing piracy incidents and emphasizes the importance of adherence to IMB guidelines by vessel owners and operators.

IMB encourages vessels to continue following Best Management Practices to ensure safety. The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, established in 1991, provides a crucial point of contact for reporting piracy incidents and supporting threatened ships. It plays a key role in coordinating responses, issuing warnings, and gathering data on modern piracy trends. Shipmasters and owners are urged to report all piracy incidents to the Centre to allocate resources effectively in tackling maritime piracy.

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