Piracy is a persistent threat to the shipping industry and remains a point of concern across the world’s oceans. In the years since the height of the 2008 piracy crisis, a consistent international effort has successfully lowered the frequency of piracy attacks in previously high-risk regions. ICS believes that continued cross-stakeholder coordination is critical to effective risk-management and response during incidences of piracy.

Although pirate groups present a threat to merchant ships around the world, the threat of piracy has most usually been encountered highest in the Western Indian Ocean, Gulf of Guinea, and the Straits of Malacca.

In the case of the Somali piracy from 2008 – 2013, instability in Somalia created a permissive environment for pirate action groups to attack merchant ships, resulting in the worst piracy crisis seen for generations. Whilst action by the international community and industry successfully suppressed Somali piracy, regional instability means the possibility of a resurgence cannot be wholly discounted, and vigilance remains the watchword. ICS continues to work with governmental and industry partners to monitor and mitigate potential piracy risks.

Pirate groups in the Gulf of Guinea have traditionally attacked ships far offshore, seeking to kidnap and collect ransom on seafarers. They have often violent, and seafarers and navy personnel have been killed during attacks. Given the severity of the crimes, ICS and fellow Industry Associations work closely with Nigeria to improve regional security through the Nigeria-Industry Joint Working Group and have produced best practice guidance on deterring and delaying pirates in the region. Further, instances of armed robbery have increased in the Straits of Malacca, where piracy has historically been a problem. This increase is a matter of concern to the industry and is being monitored closely by ICS and industry partners determined to maintain safe passage in Southeast Asia.

Fact Sheet

• According to IMB, overall incidences of piracy have fallen in 2023 and 2024, with only 116 attempted and actual incidents in 2024
• Incidents of piracy in the Singapore Straits and Indonesian archipelago saw increases in 2024
• Pirates operating off the southern and eastern Niger Delta remain the most significant potential threat for ships operating in the Gulf of Guinea

ICS and industry partners have worked tirelessly to highlight the threat presented by pirate groups. Industry cooperation with State and military partners has been fundamental in establishing mechanisms such as the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction Forum (SHADE), in the Indian Ocean, and the Maritime Collaboration forum Shared Awareness and Deconfliction Gulf of Guinea (SHADE GOG) in 2019. Both forums have achieved significant and – to date – lasting impacts on pirate activity in those respective regions.

ICS’s work on these international partnerships is motivated by our commitment to promoting a safe workplace environment for seafarers and safeguarding the security of international shipping. Keeping this commitment in mind, ICS is also pushing for sufficiently flexible trade and emissions regulations that would not restrict potential route changes required to keep seafarers safe from piracy or conflict.

Piracy can only be suppressed through cooperation between industry, militaries and governments, as the successful fight against Somali piracy has demonstrated. ICS is committed to this cooperation and continues to work widely with all relevant partners to end the threat of piracy.ICS and other international shipowners’ associations created the website www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org dedicated to providing maritime security guidance to shipping companies and seafarers, as well as links to other useful maritime and military security resources.