Danish Shipping published Rising piracy risk off Somalia

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.

As recently as this week, there have been reports of another pirate attack on a cargo vessel off the coast of Somalia. This incident has not yet been included in the IMB figures.

“There is no doubt that the development is being driven by a complex interplay of a wide range of internal and external factors. Within Somalia, challenges such as drought, illegal fishing, economic hardship and weak government structures may be contributing to making piracy a more attractive ‘career path’. Externally, changes in the maritime security situation in the region may also have created more favourable conditions for renewed pirate activity in the area,” says Jacob K. Clasen.

The operational pattern of Somali pirates continues to be characterised by the hijacking of vulnerable vessels, particularly fishing vessels, which can subsequently be used as mother ships to launch attacks further offshore.