80 Cases Concentrated in the Singapore Strait... 27 Involving Firearms
No Damages Reported to Korean Nationals or Vessels
Yonhap News Agency
Global piracy incidents have returned to an upward trend. However, the number of casualties among crew and passengers has decreased significantly, and there were no reported damages involving Korean nationals or Korean-flagged vessels.
According to the "2025 Global Piracy Incident Trends" released by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the 25th, there were 137 piracy incidents worldwide last year, an increase of 21 from 116 cases in 2024. Over the past five years, the number of piracy incidents was 132 in 2021, 115 in 2022, 120 in 2023, and 116 in 2024, before turning upward again last year.
In contrast, the number of affected persons on board dropped sharply to 88, down from 151 in the previous year. After recording 82 in 2021, 55 in 2022, 102 in 2023, and 151 in 2024, the figure turned to a downward trend last year.
By sea area, 103 cases occurred in Asian waters, accounting for the vast majority of the total. This was followed by 21 cases in West African waters and 5 cases in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. In particular, incidents were concentrated in the Singapore Strait within Asian waters, where 80 cases occurred. All 27 piracy incidents involving firearms also took place in the Singapore Strait, calling for heightened vigilance.
As for hijacking of vessels, there were 3 cases in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden and 1 case in West African waters in the first half of 2025. Among these, it was confirmed that 26 persons on board were temporarily detained in connection with hijacking incidents in the waters off Somalia and the Gulf of Aden.
There were also changes in the types of damage suffered by persons on board. The number of hostages, including those temporarily detained, fell sharply from 126 in 2024 to 46 in 2025, while the number of kidnapping victims increased from 12 to 25 over the same period. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries stressed that, as the pattern of damage has changed, it is necessary to further strengthen preparedness on board vessels.
Lee Suho, Director General of Maritime Safety at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "Piracy incidents are on the rise in Asian waters, particularly in the Singapore Strait, so we cannot afford to relax our guard," adding, "We urge Korean-flagged vessels and the shipping industry to strengthen piracy prevention activities by referring to the latest information provided by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and coastal states."
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