According to information in IMO’s GISIS module on piracy and armed robbery, 150 incidents were reported to the Organization as having occurred or been attempted in 2023.
In 2022, 131 incidents were reported, whereas the number was 172 incidents in 2021. This, therefore, constitutes an increase of about 15% at the global level compared to last year. From the data referred to above, it also emerges that the areas most affected by acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships in 2023 were the Straits of Malacca and Singapore area (85 incidents), West Africa (22 incidents), South China Sea (14 incidents) and South America (Pacific) (14 incidents), followed by Indian Ocean (5 incidents), South America (Caribbean) (4 incidents), Arabian Sea (2 incidents), East Africa (2 incidents), South America (Atlantic) (1 incident) and Mediterranean Sea (1 incident).
The number of incidents that took place in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) increased in 2023 by 1 compared to 2022, when 21 incidents were reported. This constitutes an increase of about 5%. The number of incidents involving hostage/kidnapped crew increased by 3 to 5 incidents in 2023, with a total of 68 crew members reported as hostage/kidnapped. About 18% of incidents in this region occurred in international waters and 82% occurred in port areas.
The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore area increased to 85 from 72 incidents reported in 2022. About 74% of the incidents reported in 2023, 74% were targeting a steaming ship in these Straits, compared to approximately 47% of incidents worldwide in 2023.
The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported in the South China Sea increased by 10 from 4 incidents reported to the Organization in 2022. This represents an increase of 250%, but is similar to the same period in 2021, when 15 incidents were reported.
The number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Latin American regions and the Caribbean region taken overall decreased by 5 from 24 incidents reported in 2022. This total includes incidents in the Latin America Pacific region which remain at a level of 14 incidents, same as 14 incidents in 2022, whereas the Latin America Atlantic region is down by 5 incidents to 1 incident in 2023. The number of incidents in the Caribbean region is on par with 2022 when 4 incidents were reported.
The data reveals that the total number of crew reported as taken hostage/kidnapped in 2023 remains at 92 crew members, and this is an increase from 24 crew members held hostage/kidnapped in 2022. Around 74% of the crew members were reportedly taken hostage/kidnapped in incidents in West Africa in 2023.
The total number of incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships reported to the Organization as having occurred or having been attempted from 1984 to the end of December 2023 has risen to 8,868.
