New IMB report reveals concerning rise in maritime piracy incidents in 2023
Released today, the annual Piracy and Armed Robbery Report of the ICC International Maritime
Bureau (IMB) raises concern over the first successful Somali based hijacking since 2017.
The IMB annual report recorded 120 incidents of maritime piracy and armed robbery against ships in
2023 compared to 115 in 2022.
The 2023 annual report reveals that 105 vessels were boarded, nine attempted attacks, four vessels
hijacked and two fired upon.
Where the number of 2023 reported incidents has slightly increased compared to 2022, the IMB urges
caution for crew safety as the number of crew taken hostage and kidnapped increased from 41 to 73
and from two to 14 in 2022 and 2023 respectively. A further 10 crew were threatened, four injured
and one assaulted in 2023.
Alarming first successful hijacking off Somalia since 2017
On 14 December 2023 the report recorded the first successful hijacking of a vessel off the coast of
Somalia since 2017.
A handymax bulk carrier was boarded and hijacked by alleged Somali pirates. The incident took place
around 700 nautical miles (nm) East of Bosaso in Somalia. Reports also suggest two dhows were
subsequently hijacked, a type of vessel with potential use as mother ships for further attacks.
IMB Director Michael Howlett said: “This is a cause for concern and the IMB is once again calling for
all masters and vessel owners to continue following the recommendations and reporting procedures
as per the latest version of the Best Management Practices,” adding that the incident demonstrates
the continued capabilities of the Somali pirates.
Three of four reported vessel hijackings in Gulf of Guinea
Despite the continued restraint in the number of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, with 22 in
2023 compared to 19 in 2022, 35 in 2021 and 81 in 2020, these waters accounted for three of the four
globally reported hijackings, all 14 crew kidnappings, and 75% of reported crew hostages and two
injured crew in 2023 – continuing to be dangerous waters for seafarers.
Concerns for crew safety in Singapore Straits, Malacca Straits and Indonesian archipelago
The Singapore Straits remain an area of concern due to the high number of incidents. While considered
low level opportunistic crimes, 95% of reported incidents were successful, with 37 reported incidents
overall in 2023 compared to 38 in 2022. Crew continue to be harmed with nine taken hostage and two
threatened. Guns were reported in three recorded incidents and knives in 15.
“We are concerned due to the late reporting and under reporting by vessels. The IMB continues to
encourage timely reporting of all incidents, as it contributes to a more accurate understanding of risk,”
said IMB Director Michael Howlett.
One crew member was injured and required medical attention after a bulk carrier was boarded in the
Malacca Straits in October 2023. The last reported incident of crew injured by pirates in the area was
in 2015.
A year‐on‐year increase in reported incidents has been observed in the Indonesian archipelago, up
from 10 in 2022 to 18 in 2023. Weapons were reported in 50% of the incidents. Seven crew were
threatened and two taken hostage in 2023.
Looming threats in South America
Fourteen incidents were reported from vessels at Callao anchorage in Peru. Seven crew were taken
hostage and one each assaulted and threatened. Guns and knives were reported in nine incidents.
Other ports affected in South America were Macapa anchorage in Brazil, and Cartagena and Puerto
Bolivar anchorages in Colombia.
Request a copy of the 2023 Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships report here .
A free pdf reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
About IMB Piracy Reporting Centre
Since its founding in 1991, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre serves as a crucial, 24‐hour point of contact
to report crimes of piracy and lend support to ships under threat. Quick reactions and a focus on
coordinating with response agencies, sending out warning broadcasts and email alerts to ships have
all helped bolster security on the high seas. The data gathered by the Centre also provides key insights
on the nature and state of modern piracy.
IMB encourages all shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected global
piracy and armed robbery incidents to the Piracy Reporting Centre as a vital first step to ensuring
adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle maritime piracy.
