Top 30 Maritime Piracy Incidents in 2025
January 16, 2026
2025 didn’t look like a clean “one-region problem” for piracy. The year’s most serious cases spread from guns-and-hostages boardings in the Singapore Strait, to crew-take kidnappings in West Africa, to a Somalia-area resurgence with shots fired and vessels taken. This report ranks the Top 30 major incidents not by how often piracy happened, but by severity and operational consequence, events that triggered citadel procedures, injuries, abductions, hijackings, or live-fire situations, o fleet teams can scan the timeline and immediately see where risk profiles shifted and what that meant in practice for ships underway.
📍 Ship Universe Piracy Risk Tool (Self-Assessment)
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Accuracy note
We strive for accuracy, but maritime incident information can change as investigations develop and reports are corrected. If you spot an error or have verified updates, please email
editor at shipuniverse.com.
Top 32 Major Piracy Events of 2025 — Entries 1–10 (Verified-only)
Hard rule: every cell is paraphrased from the incident narration or marked “Not stated”. No inference.
#1–5
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
07 Jan 2025
AnabelaBulk carrier • Liberia
|
Singapore Straits | Four robbers, reported armed with a gun, boarded the bulk carrier while she was underway and entered the engine room. The alarm was raised and the crew mustered. Seeing the crew’s alertness, the robbers escaped with stolen ship’s stores. | Gun reportedEngine room entry | Ship’s stores stolen; robbers escaped. | Alarm raised; crew mustered; incident reported to VTIS; Singapore Coast Guard boarded for inspection. |
|
08 Jan 2025
Trinity IslandBulk carrier • Hong Kong
|
Singapore Straits | Six robbers armed with guns and long knives boarded the ship while underway. A duty oiler was taken hostage, tied up, and guarded while others stole engine spares. The oiler was released before the robbers escaped, and the alarm was then raised with a muster and PA announcement. | Hostage / tiedGunsLong knives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | General alarm raised; PA announcement; crew mustered; incident reported to VTIS. |
|
18 Jan 2025
Golden CalvusBulk carrier • Marshall Islands
|
Singapore Straits | Six robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded the ship while she was underway. The alarm was raised, the crew mustered, and VTIS Singapore was informed. After the ship anchored, Singapore police boarded to investigate and nothing was reported stolen. | Gun reportedKnives | Nothing reported stolen. | Alarm raised; crew mustered; VTIS Singapore informed; Singapore police boarded after anchoring. |
|
21 Jan 2025
DelfinBulk carrier • Portugal
|
Singapore Straits | Six robbers armed with a gun and long knives boarded the ship while underway and entered the engine room. The 2/E and a wiper were taken hostage and tied up in the engine-room workshop while spare parts were stolen. The 2/E freed himself and the ship was later escorted to anchorage by a warship and two coast guard vessels, where an inspection was conducted. | Hostage / tiedGunLong knives | Spare parts stolen; robbers escaped. | VTIS contacted; ship searched (no robbers found); escorted to anchorage by a warship + two coast guard vessels; coast guard inspection. |
|
25 Jan 2025
Asian EnterpriseBulk carrier • St. Kitts and Nevis
|
Singapore Straits | Two robbers armed with guns boarded the ship while underway and entered the engine room. Duty crew spotted them and alerted the bridge; the alarm was raised and SSAS activated, with a PA announcement and VTS notification. Crew secured themselves (ECR, bridge, and cabins), then conducted a thorough search; engine spares were reported stolen. | GunsEngine room entrySSAS activated | Engine spares stolen. | Alarm raised; SSAS activated; PA announcement; VTS notified; crew secured in ECR/bridge/cabins; coast guard boarded to investigate on arrival at anchorage. |
#6–10
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
28 Jan 2025
ManaliBulk carrier • Panama
|
Singapore Straits | Four robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded the ship while underway and entered the engine room. One crew member was threatened and engine spares were stolen before the robbers escaped. The crew informed the Master; the alarm was raised with PA announcement and SSAS activation, and the incident was reported to VTIS. | GunKnivesThreatsSSAS activated | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | General alarm raised; PA announcement; SSAS activated; incident reported to VTIS; coast guard boarded for investigations upon anchoring. |
|
01 Feb 2025
JSP VentoGeneral cargo • Portugal
|
Equatorial Guinea (around 40nm WNW of Bata) | Three armed pirates boarded the ship while she was underway. The crew raised the alarm, sent a distress alert via VHF, and all crew retreated into the citadel. After the pirates left, the crew emerged and sailed to a safe port; all crew were reported safe and authorities investigated. | Armed boardingCitadel used | Not stated | Alarm raised; distress alert via VHF; crew to citadel; sailed to a safe port; authorities investigating. |
|
02 Feb 2025
BelajaBulk carrier • Norway
|
Singapore Straits | Four robbers armed with a gun and knives boarded the ship while underway. The 3/E was taken hostage and tied up in the engine room, then managed to escape and inform the Master. The alarm was raised, the ship’s horn sounded, the crew mustered, and the robbers escaped with stolen engine spares. | Hostage / tiedGunKnives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Alarm raised; ship’s horn sounded; crew mustered; incident reported to VTIS West. |
|
07 Feb 2025
Al Najma No. 481Dhow • Yemen
|
Somalia (around 6nm SE of Eyl) | Six armed perpetrators boarded and hijacked the dhow at night while she was underway. The crew and one security guard were taken hostage; the guard was later released. Reports indicated the perpetrators left the dhow on or before 13 February after stealing crew personal effects and small boats; all crew were reported safe. | HijackedHostages | Hijacked; hostages taken; perpetrators later left; theft of personal effects/small boats reported; crew safe. | Not stated |
|
17 Feb 2025
Saytuun 2Fishing vessel • Yemen
|
Somalia (off Garmaal, north of Eyl) | Six armed perpetrators hijacked the fishing vessel while underway and took the captain and four crew members hostage; remaining crew were released. On 23 February, a Spanish naval warship identified and boarded the vessel. Crew indicated the perpetrators had left the vessel; all crew were reported safe. | HijackedHostages | Hijacked; captain + 4 crew hostage; later recovered; all crew safe. | Spanish naval warship identified and boarded the vessel (23 Feb); perpetrators reported to have left. |
#11–15
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
27 Feb 2025
(Name not stated)Tanker
|
Not stated | Robbers entered the engine room while the tanker was underway. A crew member was seriously injured during the escape. The vessel diverted so medical care could be arranged. | Serious injuryEngine room entry | Crew injury reported; diversion reported. | Diversion for medical care. |
|
02 Mar 2025
AilamaTanker
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Masked robbers boarded the tanker and were reported carrying a gun and knives. Engine spares were reported stolen during the incident. The robbers escaped after the boarding. | Gun reportedKnives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
|
10 Mar 2025
PrismaTanker
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Robbers boarded the tanker and were reported armed with guns. The Chief Engineer and Third Engineer were taken hostage and tied up during the incident. The robbers later escaped, with nothing reported stolen. | Hostage / tiedGuns | Hostage event reported; nothing reported stolen. | Not stated |
|
12 Mar 2025
(Name withheld)Container ship
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Robbers boarded the container ship and were reported carrying guns and knives. Two oilers were taken hostage, tied up, and locked inside a CO₂ room. Engine spares were stolen and the robbers escaped. | Hostage / tiedGunsKnives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
|
14 Mar 2025
MSC RomaneContainer ship
|
Americas — off Colombia | The container ship was reported boarded while underway off Colombia. Non-essential crew were reported to have gone to a citadel. The vessel was later directed to port for inspection. | BoardedCitadel used | Not stated | Crew to citadel (reported); directed to port for inspection (reported). |
#16–20
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 Mar 2025
Al-Hidaya 1Fishing vessel
|
Horn of Africa — Somalia area | The fishing vessel was hijacked and the crew were reported held hostage. The vessel was later reported abandoned. An approach for investigation was reported afterward. | HijackedHostages | Hijacked; later abandoned (reported). | Approached for investigation (reported). |
|
17 Mar 2025
(Name withheld)Bitumen tanker • Panama
|
West & Central Africa | The bitumen tanker was hijacked and ten crew members were kidnapped (reported). The vessel was later reported released/abandoned. Other details are not stated in your dataset. | HijackedCrew kidnapped (10) | 10 crew kidnapped; vessel later released/abandoned (reported). | Not stated |
|
27 Mar 2025
Selatan DamaiContainer ship
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Robbers boarded the container ship and were reported carrying a gun and long knives. The Chief Engineer and Bosun were taken hostage and tied up during the incident. Engine spares were stolen and the robbers escaped. | Hostage / tiedGun reportedLong knives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
|
27 Mar 2025
Meng Xin 1Fishing vessel
|
West & Central Africa | Pirates boarded the fishing vessel and three crew members were kidnapped (reported). Warning shots were fired by security during the incident (reported). Other details are not stated in your dataset. | Crew kidnapped (3)Warning shots | 3 crew kidnapped (reported). | Warning shots fired by security (reported). |
|
28 Mar 2025
Wan Hai 327Container ship
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Robbers boarded the container ship and a gun was reported. They attempted to enter accommodation by firing at a watertight door. The robbers then escaped. | Gun reportedShots fired | Shots fired; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
#21–25
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
02 Apr 2025
SITC YunchengContainer ship
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Robbers boarded the container ship and were reported carrying a gun and knives. They entered the engine room and a motorman was assaulted and taken hostage. Engine spares were stolen and the robbers escaped. | AssaultHostageGun reportedKnives | Motorman assaulted/hostage; engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
|
02 Apr 2025
Century RoyalBulk carrier
|
Americas — off Haiti | An armed boarding was reported off Haiti. A crew member was assaulted with a gun during the incident. Two crew members were abducted. | Crew abducted (2)AssaultGun used | 2 crew abducted (reported). | Not stated |
|
21 Apr 2025
Sea PantherGeneral cargo
|
West & Central Africa | Armed pirates were reported to have boarded the vessel while underway. The crew were reported to have gone into a citadel. Items were reported stolen before the pirates departed. | Guns reportedCitadel used | Items stolen (reported). | Not stated |
|
15 May 2025
BonnevilleBulk carrier
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | Guns and knives were reported in this boarding. Engine-room entry was reported and two engineers (2/E and 4/E) were taken hostage and tied. Engine spares were reported stolen before the robbers escaped. | Hostage / tiedGuns reportedKnives | Engine spares stolen; robbers escaped. | Not stated |
|
30 May 2025
(Name withheld)Refrigerated cargo
|
West & Central Africa | Boarded underway (reported). Your dataset flags this as a suspected kidnapping with two crew reportedly unaccounted. Other details are not stated. | Suspected kidnapping | 2 crew reportedly unaccounted (suspected kidnapping). | Not stated |
#26–30
| Incident | Region / corridor | Description (reported) | Severity trigger (reported) | Outcome (reported) | Reported response |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 Jun 2025
Greek SeasBulk carrier
|
Singapore Straits / SOMS | A gun and a knife were reported. Engine-room entry was reported and the 3/E was taken hostage and tied up. Engine spares were reported stolen; a coast guard investigation was reported. | Hostage / tiedGun reportedKnife | Engine spares stolen (reported). | Coast guard investigation reported. |
|
03 Nov 2025
Stolt SagalandChemical tanker
|
Not stated | Reported as “fired upon” in your dataset. Additional details are not stated. | Fired upon | Not stated | Not stated |
|
06 Nov 2025
Hellas AphroditeTanker
|
Horn of Africa — Somalia / Gulf of Aden area | Pirates approached in a skiff and the vessel was reported fired upon and boarded. The crew retreated to a citadel and military assistance was reported. The pirates later left. | Fired uponBoardedCitadel used | Boarded; pirates later left (reported). | Citadel used; military assistance reported. |
|
07 Nov 2025
(Name withheld)General cargo • Netherlands
|
West & Central Africa — near São Tomé | The general cargo vessel was boarded while underway near São Tomé (reported). The crew were reported to have gone to a citadel. Pirates were reported to have opened fire and the ship sustained damage; all crew were reported safe. | BoardedShots firedShip damagedCitadel used | Ship damaged; all crew reported safe. | Crew to citadel (reported). |
|
03 Dec 2025
(Name withheld)LPG tanker • Portugal
|
West & Central Africa — off Equatorial Guinea | The LPG tanker was boarded while underway off Equatorial Guinea (reported). Nine crew were reported kidnapped during the incident. One crew member was reported injured. | Crew kidnapped (9)InjuryBoarded | 9 crew kidnapped; 1 injured (reported). | Not stated |
Verified-only rule: if a detail is not explicitly stated in the incident narration, it is marked “Not stated”.
ShipUniverse Piracy Risk Tool (Self-Assessment)
Pick a corridor + vessel profile + exposure window, then get a transparent score and a practical checklist. This is a planning aid (not a forecasting model).
Inputs
Keep it simple: exposure drivers in, checklist out.
Corridor
Corridor weight is the largest driver (exposure pattern differs by area).
Transit mode
Ship type
Speed profile
Freeboard profile
Night exposure
Armed guards
No
Guards reduce risk, but never remove exposure entirely.
Citadel / drill readiness
AIS policy
Heads up: “AIS Off” can create compliance, coordination, and incident-response friction.
Use only under company policy and relevant guidance.
Season / sea state (boarding feasibility proxy)
Accuracy note: This is a structured self-assessment to support planning and crew readiness.
Always verify against company security guidance, official advisories, and any charterer/flag requirements.
Result
Score + drivers + routing/operations checklist.
—
/100 risk score
Low
Top risk drivers
- Pick inputs and click Calculate.
Recommended controls
Bridge + Watch
Speed/Route
Lighting/Hardening
Reporting/Comms
Crew safety
Insurance / Charter note:
Keep a clean evidence trail (route rationale, watch schedule, drills). Expect potential delay claims, off-hire arguments,
and tighter claims hygiene if an incident occurs.
How score was built (point adds/subtracts)
Planning tool only. Language is neutral: the score reflects higher/lower exposure patterns based on your inputs — not incident counts or forecasts.
