Maritime piracy hits lowest levels since 1992 despite Somali resurgence

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported that maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents reached their lowest levels since 1992 during the first nine months of 2026. A total of 51 incidents were recorded between January and September, a significant decrease from the 116 incidents reported during the same period in 2025.

Despite the overall decline, there has been a notable resurgence in Somali piracy. Somali pirates were responsible for eight vessel hijackings and 94% of all crew members taken hostage globally during this period. While most hijacked vessels have been released with crews safe, authorities in Puntland reported that five crew members were killed and five were injured during the hijacking of the Palau-flagged tanker Honour 25 in April 2026.

Of the 51 reported incidents, 36 vessels were boarded, eight were hijacked, four were fired upon, and three attempted boardings occurred. In 86% of these cases, perpetrators gained access while vessels were at anchor or steaming, with most boardings taking place at night. Weapons were identified in 53% of the incidents. IMB Director Michael Howlett emphasized that while levels are at a three-decade low, the uptick in Somali activity necessitates continued vigilance and strict adherence to Best Management Practices (BMP) to protect seafarers and global trade routes.