Environment / 34 weeks ago

Piracy trends: Rising hostage risks amid stable attack numbers in 2024

In 2024, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported 116 piracy-related incidents worldwide, a figure that remains largely consistent with recent years. However, the nature of these attacks is shifting—with a troubling rise in hostage-taking and the use of weapons, posing new challenges for seafarers and the maritime industry at large. While the overall number of piracy incidents has not significantly increased, the escalation in violence and crew targeting signals a growing threat to maritime safety.