Maritime piracy and armed robbery endangers seafarers and disrupts vital trade routes. Through its International Maritime Bureau, ICC delivers real-time reporting and trusted alerts that help protect crews and keep trade moving.
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More than 90%of world trade moves by sea, relying on seafarers and fishers who keep supply chains running and communities supplied.
Yet piracy and armed robbery continues to pose a direct threat to their safety and to the reliability of key trade routes.
Piracy and armed robbery incidents at sea have serious human and economic consequences.
They put the wellbeing of seafarers at risk, cause delays, drive up insurance and operating costs, and in some cases even forcing companies to reroute or pause operations.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (ICC-IMB) works with industry and national authorities to improve incident reporting and real-time information sharing. Recognised by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for combating maritime crime, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre operates 24-hours a day to receive reports, issue alerts, liaise with authorities to get timely responses to assistance and support seafarer safety.
Independent, non-governmental and non-military, ICC-IMB is the only not-for-profit organisation authorised by the IMO to broadcast maritime security alerts through the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, ensuring warnings reach ships in time to act. Over the past three decades this trusted reporting mechanism has allowed ICC-IMB to be part of shaping regional and international mechanisms to counter piracy and armed robbery at sea.
ICC Commercial Crime Services, a specialised division of the ICC
Cyrus Mody, Director – ICC Commercial Crime Services
Learn more about this work.
Maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents fell to their lowest level since 1992 in the first half of 2026, according to the latest report from ICC's International Maritime Bureau (IMB), released today. However, IMB warns there is no room for complacency, with crew safety still at risk and a slight resurgence of Somali piracy underscoring the need for continued vigilance.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported a sharp fall in global maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2026, with just 16 incidents recorded worldwide – the lowest first quarter figure since 1991. While the decline highlights the positive impact of sustained cooperation and enforcement efforts, risks to seafarers remain. IMB continues to urge vigilance, timely reporting and strict adherence to best management practices to help safeguard crews and protect vital maritime trade routes.
Highest number of reported incidents in the Singapore Straits, Somali piracy threat contained by naval presence.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed a slight increase in reported incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2025, with the highest recorded number since 1991 in the Singapore Straits. Despite the rise, IMB and its Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC) highlight a continued overall reduction in global incident levels, with no significant attacks recorded.
Critical shipping route handling 30% of global trade flows sees surge in armed robbery incidents. The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre is urging caution following a rise in armed robbery incidents in the Singapore Straits, which has driven this maritime crime to its highest level since 2020.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has revealed a rise in global piracy and armed robbery incidents in the first quarter of 2025 – driven by a spike of incidents in the Singapore Straits.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported a decline in global maritime incidents and piracy in 2024 but urges continued caution as crew safety remains at risk.
In the first nine months of 2024, reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery fell to the lowest levels since 1994, according to the latest report by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB). Despite the lowest reported incidents in three decades, IMB and its Piracy Reporting Centre warns that crew safety remains at risk.
ICC’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is calling for sustained vigilance to protect seafarers amid increasing violence despite an overall drop in the number of incidents reported in its mid-year report for 2024, released today.
The ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) raises concern on the continued acts of maritime piracy off the coast of Somalia in its first quarter report for 2024, released today.
