Explore the top 12 maritime piracy hotspots in 2025. From the Gulf of Guinea to Southeast Asia, discover key trends, high-risk zones, and how the industry is responding.
Maritime piracy might seem like a relic of the past to some, but for seafarers navigating today’s global trade routes, it’s a very real and evolving threat. Despite improvements in naval patrols, surveillance, and international collaboration, several regions continue to experience dangerous spikes in piracy and armed robbery. In this comprehensive 2025 update, we examine the top 12 hotspots, based on the latest reports from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), IMO, and regional maritime authorities.
Why Maritime Piracy Still Matters in 2025
In 2024 alone, over 120 incidents of piracy and armed robbery were reported globally, according to IMB’s annual Piracy Report. While this marks a decline from earlier peak years, the evolving nature of threats—especially in ungoverned or politically unstable regions—keeps piracy on the radar of shipowners, insurers, and international navies.
Maritime piracy affects:
- Crew safety, with kidnappings and physical violence still reported.
- Global supply chains, especially oil, food, and electronic components.
- Insurance premiums, notably for war-risk zones.
- Port operations and regional trade competitiveness.
Understanding where piracy is most likely to occur is key to developing safe passage plans and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Methodology and Sources
This list is curated using piracy data from:
- ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
- UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport
- IMO GISIS platform
- MarineTraffic and Lloyd’s List Intelligence
- Maritime Risk Intelligence
- Reports from Naval Forces (e.g., EU NAVFOR, U.S. Naval Institute, IONS)
We also analyzed real-world incidents from 2023–2025, using data from P&I Clubs, classification societies, and coast guards.
Gulf of Guinea, West Africa
Despite a drop in reported hijackings, the Gulf of Guinea remains a notorious hotspot. Between Nigeria, Benin, Togo, and Cameroon, the region continues to see crew kidnappings, especially near the Niger Delta. Pirates here are often well-armed and coordinated, operating from motherships with sophisticated boarding techniques.
2025 Update:
- IMB reports 23 incidents, with 8 crew kidnappings.
- Nigeria’s Deep Blue Project shows progress, but coverage gaps remain.
- Tankers and offshore supply vessels remain primary targets.
Strait of Malacca and Singapore Strait
One of the world’s busiest trade routes continues to experience regular boardings. While these are often non-violent thefts targeting cash or engine spares, the high traffic volume and confined waters make these incidents particularly concerning.
Key Developments:
- 19 attacks in early 2025, mostly during night transits.
- IMB and ReCAAP ISC advise increased vigilance and use of AIS.
- Littoral states (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia) continue trilateral patrols.
Somali Basin and Gulf of Aden
While piracy off Somalia was largely suppressed after 2017, sporadic attacks have returned—especially around Puntland and the Somali Basin.
Recent Incidents:
- In late 2024, a UAE-flagged vessel was approached by suspected pirates 300 nm east of Mogadishu.
- Naval escorts (EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and CMF) remain essential.
South China Sea
The South China Sea sees frequent boardings, particularly near the Philippines and Vietnamese coastlines. The overlap with territorial disputes adds geopolitical tension.
2025 Trends:
- Armed robbery (rather than piracy per se) is the main issue.
- Fishing vessels and cargo ships are particularly vulnerable.
- China and ASEAN states coordinate loosely via anti-crime mechanisms.
Gulf of Aden – Bab el-Mandeb Strait
This narrow chokepoint between Yemen and the Horn of Africa is fraught with risks. Beyond piracy, vessels here face drone threats and missile attacks related to the Yemen conflict.
Current Risk Profile:
- Attacks attributed to Houthis and independent criminal groups.
- Insurance premiums remain elevated.
- EU NAVFOR recommends use of Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
Caribbean Sea (Venezuela and Trinidad-Tobago)
The crisis in Venezuela has spilled into maritime insecurity. Fishermen, small cargo boats, and even yachts are common targets.
Recent Data:
- Lloyd’s List Intelligence reports 14 armed robbery cases in 2024–2025.
- Attacks typically involve speedboats with armed men demanding ransom or valuables.
Bay of Bengal – Bangladesh and Indian Waters
Although not as volatile as in the past, Chittagong Anchorage still sees recurring incidents.
2025 Patterns:
- Opportunistic thieves targeting bulk carriers and tankers at anchor.
- IMB advises enhanced onboard security during idle times.
- Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Navy stepping up coordination.
Sulu-Celebes Sea (Philippines-Malaysia-Indonesia)
This tri-border maritime zone is plagued by militant groups like Abu Sayyaf. Kidnappings for ransom and violent confrontations are not uncommon.
Key Facts:
- 9 piracy-related incidents in 2024.
- Joint patrols by Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines continue.
- Crew abductions have declined but not ceased entirely.
Red Sea and Southern Saudi Coastline
Tensions in the Red Sea, especially near Hodeidah and southern Saudi ports, have affected commercial shipping.
Threat Vectors:
- Drone swarms and attacks from Houthi-controlled zones.
- Pirates exploiting security gaps in humanitarian corridors.
- Some ships now rerouting via Cape of Good Hope.
Lagos and Bonny River Entrance (Nigeria)
While often grouped under the Gulf of Guinea, Lagos and Bonny deserve separate mention due to frequency and severity of incidents.
2025 Snapshot:
- P&I Clubs like Gard and Britannia report boarding attempts weekly.
- Attackers often impersonate port officials.
Amazon River and Peruvian Waters
An underreported region, the Amazon River sees rising cases of piracy targeting fuel barges and small cargo vessels.
Notable Observations:
- Local crime groups have maritime capabilities.
- Attacks are most frequent near Iquitos and Pucallpa.
Mozambique Channel
With the insurgency in northern Mozambique, attacks on maritime assets (especially LNG terminals and vessels) are increasing.
Trends and Risks:
- French and South African navies increasing patrols.
- 6 incidents recorded near Palma and Pemba in 2024.
How the Industry Is Responding
Shipowners and flag states are investing in:
- Crew training using BIMCO’s updated Guardcon guidelines.
- Security audits and Ship Security Plans (SSP) as per ISPS Code.
- Use of armed guards, especially in designated High-Risk Areas (HRAs).
- Insurance options via London and Nordic marine insurers.
- Real-time intelligence tools such as Dryad Global, Ambrey, and Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG).
Role of Technology in Piracy Prevention
From drones to satellite AIS, the fight against piracy is now digital. Key tools include:
- Inmarsat Fleet Secure for cybersecurity.
- Smart fencing and CCTV from Wärtsilä.
- Route risk assessments powered by Clarksons’ Sea/ suite.
FAQs
What are the most dangerous maritime piracy areas in 2025?
The Gulf of Guinea, Somali Basin, and the Strait of Malacca remain the most dangerous.
How does maritime piracy differ from armed robbery at sea?
Piracy occurs in international waters, while armed robbery happens in territorial waters.
Has piracy increased or decreased in 2025?
Global incidents slightly declined, but severity and regional flare-ups continue.
Are seafarers still being kidnapped?
Yes, especially in West Africa and Southeast Asia. However, cases are decreasing.
What is being done to stop piracy?
Naval patrols, better onboard security, international cooperation, and technology-driven monitoring.
Conclusion
Maritime piracy in 2025 is a complex mix of opportunism, political instability, and technological gaps. While global numbers are lower than a decade ago, the risks remain concentrated and often violent. For seafarers, awareness, training, and proactive security measures remain the frontline defense.
To stay updated, stakeholders are encouraged to regularly check the IMO GISIS, IMB Piracy Reports, and subscribe to alerts from maritime security intelligence providers.
References
- International Maritime Bureau – Piracy Reports
- IMO GISIS Platform
- Dryad Global Maritime Security Intelligence
- ReCAAP ISC Reports
- UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport
- Clarksons Research
- Wärtsilä Maritime Security Solutions
- Gard P&I Club