During 2024, IFC-IOR recorded 227 Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents, a 17% increase from 194 in 2023. Of these, 16 incidents were monitored on the high seas and 211 were within the EEZ of coastal states. The incidents averaged 19 per month (increased from 16 in 2023). Notably, 74% incidents were violence-free, and three incidents caused injuries to crew members.
The incidents have been grouped into ten sub-categories, which include sea theft (both actual and attempted – 98), sea robbery (both actual and attempted – 62), suspicious approaches (27), hijacks (16), illegal boardings (09), attempted boarding (08), kidnaps (04) and attacks (03), (see glossary for definitions).
The incidents have been categorised into five key regions for comprehensive analysis: Gulf of Guinea (29), West Asia (16), East Africa (65), South Asia (19) and Southeast Asia (98). This classification aims to better understand patterns and trends across these diverse areas.
Structured analysis of maritime security incidents across the Indian Ocean Region
Key Insight: 227 incidents recorded in 2025
In 2025, the Centre recorded 227 incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery, as compared to 227 incidents in 2024. The Piracy and Armed Robbery cluster is further categorised into hijack, kidnap, illegal boarding, attack, sea robbery, sea theft, attempted sea robbery, attempted sea theft and suspicious approach analysed across Gulf of Guinea, West Asia, East Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Key Insight: Emergent high-risk behaviour off Somalia in late 2025
The 2025 Piracy and Armed Robbery landscape revealed a dual trend which featured low-impact petty thefts dominating Southeast Asian waters during the first half of the year, contrasted by emergent high-risk behaviour off Somalia towards the end of 2025. A series of suspicious approaches and illegal boardings off Somalia signalled that pirate action groups still possess the capability to mount classical piracy attacks.
Key Insight:Pirate action groups retain distant water attack capability
While piracy off Somalia has followed a sporadic pattern, remaining largely dormant for extended periods, such lulls should not be misconstrued as complete suppression. Incidents in 2025 have demonstrated that pirate action groups retain the capability to conduct distant-water classical piracy attacks against merchant vessels, underscoring the need for continued vigilance during transit through these areas.
Key Insight: 10 crew abduction incidents high-impact threat
The Gulf of Guinea continued to reflect established patterns, with incidents majorly occurring at anchorages and in coastal waters, and only a few incidents reported beyond 50 nautical miles from the coast. Although a relative increase in violent encounters was observed, crew abduction for ransom (10 incidents) remained a high-impact and destabilising threat despite reduced frequency.
Key Insight: Multinational co-ordination key to containing threats
The sustained presence of multinational naval forces, improved information sharing and proactive shipboard measures were key contributors to containing incident severity and preventing escalation. Nevertheless, evolving tactics, environmental factors and regional enforcement gaps underscore that piracy and armed robbery remains a persistent and adaptive threat, requiring continued vigilance, co-ordinated maritime security operations and strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP MS).
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative that brings together the navies of the Indian Ocean littoral states. Through dialogue, co-operation, and shared understanding, IONS fosters regional maritime security and stability across one of the world’s most strategic oceanic regions.
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