Somali Piracy Activity Hits 10-Year High
Piracy incidents off the coast of Somalia have reached a 10-year high, with 13 incidents recorded in the first seven months of 2026. Industry experts attribute the resurgence to a combination of economic hardship, illegal fishing, and weak governance in the region.
Why it matters
The rise in maritime piracy threatens global supply chains and necessitates increased security measures for international shipping companies.
The number of piracy-related incidents off Somalia is at its highest level in 10 years. The trend points to renewed activity in the area after several years with relatively few incidents.
Danish Shipping has just published an analysis based on figures from the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB), 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. In the first seven months of 2026 alone, 13 incidents have already been recorded. Activity remains low compared with the wave of piracy in 2009 - 2011, when more than 200 attacks were recorded annually, but the trend points to renewed activity in the area.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in