Danish Shipping has published an analysis based on figures from the ICC International Maritime Bureau showing a significant increase in the number of attacks carried out by Somali pirates. The IMB recorded eight incidents off Somalia in 2024 and five incidents in 2025, but in the first seven months of 2026 alone, 13 incidents have already been recorded, marking the highest level of piracy-related activity off Somalia in ten years. A further pirate attack on a cargo vessel off Somalia was reported in the week of August 17 and has not yet been included in the official IMB count, suggesting the true figure for the year is already higher.
Jacob K. Clasen, Deputy CEO of Danish Shipping, said he was concerned by the rising trend, noting it “brings back unpleasant memories” of the earlier piracy wave, while urging shipping companies to conduct risk assessments and follow international Best Management Practices. Activity remains far below the 2009-2011 peak, when more than 200 attacks were recorded annually off the Somali coast, but analysts note the current resurgence is being driven by a complex mix of internal and external factors. The IMB’s global incident register shows Somalia-related cases represent roughly 30 percent of recorded incidents worldwide but account for a disproportionately large share of the most serious hijackings, distinguishing the region from Southeast Asian piracy hotspots where attacks typically involve theft from vessels at anchor rather than hijackings of ships underway.
Source: MarineLink — https://www.marinelink.com/news/somali-piracy-activity-hits-year-high-542263
Tags: Somalia, Piracy, IMB, Gulf of Aden
