Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Urges Korean Vessels to Prevent Damage from Surging Piracy Incidents in Asian Waters

- Announcement of the Global Piracy Incident Trend in the first half of 2025 by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Chun Jae-so) announced the Global Piracy Incident Trend in the first half of 2025 on Monday, August 11. There were 90 piracy incidents worldwide—a significant increase compared to 60 incidents during the same period last year—but the number of passenger casualties has decreased from 98 to 67. There was no damage to Korean citizens or ships.

 By sea region, the highest number of incidents occurred in Asian waters with 70, followed by 12 in West African waters and 3 in the waters of Somalia and Gulf of Aden; thus indicating that piracy incidents are continuously occurring worldwide.

  The number of piracy incidents in Asian waters in the first half of this year was the highest since 2015's 107 cases. MOF attributed the surge in incidents mainly to maritime robberies targeting vessel supplies in the Singapore Strait (an increase from 13 to 57 cases).

 There were four ship hijacking incidents—the same as in the previous year's first half—with incidents occurring in the waters off Somalia and Gulf of Aden and West Africa numbering three and one, respectively. In particular, all of the piracy incidents that occurred in the waters off Somalia and Gulf of Aden were ship hijackings, and 26 passengers on board the victimized ships were temporarily detained during the hijacking. As such, MOF requested that ships strengthen their vigilance against this.

 According to Director General for Maritime Affairs and Safety Policy Bureau, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Choi Seong-yong, there has been a marked rise in piracy incidents across Asian waters. "We strongly advise ships transiting these areas to utilize up-to-date guidance from MOF and coastal nations to mitigate the risks of piracy," he added.

 Anyone can check the Global Piracy Incident Trend and Pirate Risk Index by Sea Area data for the first half of 2025 on MOF's website for the Marine Safety Comprehensive Information System (www.gicoms.go.kr).