Pirates have posed a growing problem for global shipping this year, with 45 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships recorded in the first quarter, according to the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB).

The increase represents an almost 35% rise compared to the same period in 2024, the IMB said.

From January to March of last year, 33 incidents were reported, and 27 in the first quarter of 2023.

Piracy surge reported in the Singapore Straits

During the 45 incidents reported across the world, "37 vessels were boarded, four were hijacked and four had attempted attacks," the IMB wrote.

It noted that the "threat to crew safety remains high," with 37 crew members being taken hostage in the first quarter of 2025, as well as 13 kidnapped, two threatened and one injured.

The IMB's report highlighted a particular surge in the Singapore Straits between Singapore and Indonesia, where 27 attacks or attempted attacks were reported, up from seven in the same period last year.

"Ninety-two percent of all vessels targeted in the Singapore Straits were successfully boarded, including nine bulk carriers and tankers over 100,000 deadweight tonnage in size," the IMB statement said.

The attacks in the region involved guns in 14 cases, a number that is more than half of the 26 firearm-related cases of piracy reported across the world in 2024.

The report did not give any possible reasons for the increase of piracy in the Straits, which is one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

Safeguarding crew members paramount, maritime watchdog says

IMB Director Michael Howlett said the increase of piracy in the region was "concerning, highlighting the urgent need to protect the safety of seafarers navigating these waters."

 "Ensuring the security of these vital routes is essential and all necessary measures must be taken to safeguard crew members," Howlett said in the statement.

The IMB is part of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Edited by: Zac Crellin