Increase in piracy and incidents at sea

From a press release by the International Chamber of Commerce in Germany (ICC Germany) on the latest report on maritime piracy figures for 2023.

In its new report for the period from January to September 2023, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the ICC has noted an increase in reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea and expressed concerns about the Singapore Strait.

The International Maritime Bureau of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) recorded a total of 99 incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the first nine months of 2023 - an increase compared to 90 incidents in the same period in 2022.

So far this year, 85 ships have been boarded, nine were attempted to be attacked, three were captured and two were fired upon. 89 % of the ships attacked were successfully boarded by the perpetrators, with most incidents occurring at night.

Even though the reported violence against crew members is among the lowest in the last three decades, the danger to the crew remains real: 69 hostage-takings, 14 kidnappings, eight threats, three injuries and one assault.

The number of reported incidents in the Gulf of Guinea increased to 21 in the first nine months of the year, compared to 14 in the same period in 2022; 33 incidents (compared to 31) were reported for the Strait of Singapore.

You can request the detailed report of the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which was published on 11 October 2023, at

Piracy Report

Users in Germany

Further information can be found under the link or directly from Michael Howlett, Director, ICC International Maritime Bureau: Tel: +44 207 423 6960, e-mail: [email protected].

Rise in maritime incidents and piracy reveals latest IMB report