In the first quarter of 2025, acts of piracy against ships have seen a surge as 45 accidents have occurred compared to 33 in the same period last year. Upward of attacks - the International Maritime Bureau announced today (IMB) - the increase in the number of crews involved was corresponding: 53 seafarers compared to 45 in the first three months of 2024. Especially 37 seafarers were taken hostage (35 in the first quarter of 2024), 13 were kidnapped (9), two were subject to threats (1) and a seafarer was injured. The ships four (2) were seized, 37 (24) were boarded and four ships that suffered an attack attempt (6).

In the first three months of 2025, the highest number of attacks were as always the bulk carriers with 17 compared to ten in the same period last year, followed by 13 attacks on tankers (10), six against the container ships (3) and nine against ships of other types (10).

In addition, there has been a sharp increase in the incidents that occurred in the Singapore Straits where 27 attacks (7) were carried out, while the accidents in the Gulf of Guinea (6) and those in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea are decreasing close to Somalia where three attacks have occurred (5). "The increase in accidents reported in the Straits of Singapore - noted the director of the IMB, Michael Howlett - is and highlights the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers who sail in those waters. Guarantee The safety of these vital routes is essential and all necessary measures must be taken to safeguard members of the crews".