We have received the 2026 January - March piracy and armed robbery report from the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) together with the summary below. For more details, please refer to the attached files.

Summary

A total of 16 incidents reported to the IMB Piracy reporting Centre between Jan – Mar 2026. These are broken down as 14 vessels boarded, one hijacked and 1 attempted incident. Violence against and the threat to crews continues with two crew taken hostage and one injured.

Most of the successful incidents were reported while vessels were steaming.

Regions where incidents reported.

Somalia

Two incidents were reported off Somalia in Q1 2026 – one attempted attack and one successful hijacking of a dhow, which could be used as a mother vessel.

The presence of coalition forces continues to deter Somali pirates, Masters are however urged to remain vigilant and follow the latest Best Management Practices, as pirates remain capable of striking vessels at significant distances from shore. The IMB acknowledges the coalition’s active patrolling and robust responses to piracy and encourages their continued presence in these waters.

Gulf of Guinea

There was welcome relief in the Gulf of Guinea, with one low-level theft reported at Takoradi anchorage in Ghana during the quarter.

While the reduction in incidents is encouraging, IMB stresses the importance of continued vigilance and sustained cooperation to protect seafarers and safeguard trade in these waters.

Singapore Straits

The Singapore Straits continued to account for the largest share of reported incidents globally, with eight incidents recorded in Q1 2026. While this remains the highest concentration worldwide, it marks a substantial drop from 31 incidents in the same period last year. The reporting of, and response to, incidents is a shared responsibility.

Philippines

Four incidents were reported in the Philippines during the first quarter of 2026. Two occurred at Manila anchorage and two at Bauan anchorage in Batangas Bay. This marks an increase compared with no incidents reported during the same period in 2025. In these incidents, one crew member was taken hostage.