The IMO’s Monthly Piracy Report shows that four incidents of piracy or armed robbery against ships occurred during October 2025.
What Happened: Overview of the Incidents
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Four ships were targeted in October. In each case, perpetrators attempted unauthorized boarding or robbery.
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In one incident, two armed individuals entered a vessel’s steering room. Upon being spotted, they fled immediately. The crew sounded the alarm, mustered, conducted a search, and found no intruders onboard. No one was harmed.
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In the other three cases, unauthorized persons tried or managed to board anchored or underway vessels. In each case, crew alertness triggered alarms. The intruders fled in two separate incidents, taking some of the ship’s supplies. No crew injuries were reported.
Where They Occurred: Geographic Spread
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One incident happened in a major traffic-separation scheme lane in Southeast Asian waters.
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Other attempts took place off coasts in West Africa and Central Africa in anchorage areas near key ports.
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Thus, the events spanned Asia and Africa, highlighting that piracy- and robbery-risk remains global, not confined to a single region.
Key Lessons: What the Industry Must Watch
First, crew vigilance and timely alarms prevented harm. In all cases, the alert crew avoided casualties or ship loss. Therefore, regular onboard watch-keeping and strict adherence to security protocols remain essential.
Second, even large vessels remain vulnerable, whether underway or at anchor. Thus, there’s no “safe mode”: all ships, everywhere, must treat security seriously.
Third, while the number of incidents is small, the spread across regions underlines that no route is completely risk-free. Shipping companies should maintain updated risk assessments, avoid complacency, and ensure robust onboard security readiness.
What’s Next: Stay Alert, Improve Readiness
The October report should serve as a timely reminder. The maritime industry cannot assume piracy risk is over. Instead, stakeholders must continue improving surveillance, alert systems, and crew training.
As the global security landscape continues to evolve, protecting vessels will require careful planning, effective early-warning systems, and strong response protocols.
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Source: Safety4Sea
