Maritime piracy and armed robbery incidents at sea in the first six months of 2026 fell to the lowest level since 1992, according to a July International Maritime Bureau (IMB) report.
The report also showed that piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and Nigerian waters dropped to the lowest levels in decades.
The IMB reported just two incidents in the Gulf of Guinea for the period under review, reflecting sustained anti-piracy operations and improved collaborative enforcement by Nigerian authorities and regional navies.
This consistent downward trend has sustained Nigeria’s removal from the IMB’s list of global piracy hotspots.
Despite the successful deterrence in Nigerian waters, the IMB warns against complacency, advising vessels transiting West Africa to maintain strict anti-piracy measures due to the persistent, though reduced, threat of armed robbery and kidnappings.
Also, the IMB, part of the International Chamber of Commerce Commercial Crime Services Division, warns against complacency, saying crew safety is always at risk and some resurgence of Somali piracy requires the need for continued vigilance.
Thirty-eight incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of the year. This is substantially down from 90 incidents for the same period last year and 60 in 2024.
From January to June, 27 vessels were boarded, five hijacked, three fired at with a further three attempted attacks reported. Danger to ships’ crews remains a factor with 67 taken hostage, two threatened and another injured.
Somali pirates, according to the IMB, were responsible for 94% of all crew hostage incidents, “demonstrating their continued capability to board all types of vessels and the escalation of activities in the waters off Somalia”.
“The lowest mid-year level of reported piracy and armed robbery incidents since 1992 is encouraging and reflects the impact of sustained efforts by governments, law enforcement agencies and the maritime community,” IMB Director Michael Howlett said, adding “there is no room for complacency. Crew safety remains at risk, and the slight uptick of Somali piracy is a reminder that continued vigilance and regional cooperation remain essential to protect seafarers, global shipping and trade.”
Four vessels were hijacked in Indian Ocean waters off the East African country between April and May with more attacks and approaches reported in June. On 1 July, the bulk carrier MV Golden Arsenal was attacked by pirates whilst off Djibouti, but the crew retreated to the citadel and a subsequent boarding by Indian Navy personnel from the INS Trikand found no pirates on board.
Adherence to best management practices (BMP), the Bureau has it, has helped prevent boardings. In a similar vein it urged international naval forces, such as the European Union (EU) task force under Operation Atalanta, to maintain a strong and visible deterrent presence to counter potential escalation.
With just two reported incidents during the period under review in the Gulf of Guinea on the opposite side of Africa from Somalia, IMB commended efforts by littoral states and regional partners to strengthen maritime security. Progress – while encouraging – does not negate the need for continued patrols alongside regional co-operation to deter criminal activity and safeguard life at sea, the IMB said.
A decline in incidents was reported in the Singapore Straits from January to June with two vessels boarded in April and one each in May and June. Two crew were threatened in separate incidents, while a further two crew were taken hostage for the duration of an incident and one crew injured.
As one of the world’s busiest trade routes and a key artery connecting East and West, enhanced engagement and coordinated enforcement measures among littoral states remain essential to further reduce incidents and ensure the safety of seafarers and global commerce, the IMB said.
Written with additional reports from DefenceWeb