Paul is a content writer here at Seven Seas Worldwide. He has a passion for communicating directly with customers in way that both informs and engages.
Shipping update
Maritime crime and piracy drop 20% to thirty-year low
Encouraging signs as attacks on vessels decrease worldwide
According to a report by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents have reached their lowest levels since 1994. While the news is encouraging, the IMB stresses that the risk to vessels, cargo, and crew remains significant, and freight forwarders and local authorities must continue with established security protocols.
By September 2024, there were 79 reported global incidents, including 30 involving bulk cargo ships, down from 99 over the same period in 2023. Around half (38) of the attacks were on anchored vessels.
"The decline in reported piracy and armed robbery incidents is encouraging," said IMB director Michael Howlett. "This is an important time to reinforce our message not to be complacent and for vessel owners and operators to adhere to IMB guidelines."
Significant decline in maritime piracy across critical regions
Further positive trends have been observed in the Gulf of Aden and the Singapore Straits.
Piracy attacks have decreased in Somalia, with just eight reported incidents in 2024 compared to 12 in 2023. In the Singapore Straits, incidents fell to 23 in 2024 from 33 the previous year. The Gulf of Guinea, in particular, has experienced its lowest incidents of piracy in nearly three decades, with just 12 reported crimes between January and September 2024.
The table below shows the total incidents per region between January and September 2024:
| Locations | Total incidents reported |
| SE Asia | 45 |
| Indian Sub Continent | 12 |
| Africa (Gulf of Guinea) | 12 |
| Africa (off Somalia) | 8 |
| Americas | 2 |
Source: ICC Commercial Crime Services
Ongoing risks and the need for continued vigilance
Despite the positive reduction in reported maritime crime in 2024, 111 crew members were taken hostage, with 11 kidnapped and 3 threatened. The IMB's maritime piracy statistics conclude that criminals boarded 62 vessels (with 6 hijacked, 9 suffering attempted attacks and 2 fired upon), with most incidents occurring in the evening or during the night.
The report highlights the Indonesian Archipelago as a particular area of concern, with 17 maritime incidents from January to September 2024, up from 12 in the same period in 2023 and 9 in 2022.
The IMB warns against complacency, calling for vessel owners and operators to adhere to safety guidelines, report all incidents, and continue close collaboration with governments and law enforcement agencies. "The IMB calls upon local authorities to increase their on-water presence to act as a deterrent," an IMB spokesperson commented.
Here are some more reports on the reduction of maritime crime if you would like more information: