Piracy & Armed Robbery
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Piracy and armed robbery of commercial ships remains a dangerous threat to our industry in many locations around the world. This section provides key information to our Members as to the following:

  • frequently asked questions for P&I Clubs related to piracy;
  • guidance to Members for the use of armed guards;
  • relevant links to updated information on piracy; and
  • relevant documents issued by the Association on piracy.

For further information on issues or concerns related to piracy and armed robbery and the use of armed guards, please contact your Managers for assistance.



Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding P&I Coverage

We are pleaed to present the document, Piracy & Armed Robbery: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding P&I Cover.

It has also been translated into Traditional Mandarin and Simplified Mandarin.

Associated appendices are also available:



Use of Armed Guards and Your P&I Club

We are pleased to present the document, Use of Armed Guards and Your P&I Club.

It has also been translated into Traditional Mandarin and Simplified Mandarin.

Associated appendices are also available:



Club Alerts, Circulars and Articles


Important Industry Links
  • Maritime Global Security. A website dedicated to providing comprehensive maritime security guidance to companies and mariners. The website was launched by the supporting organizations and provides all security-related guidance produced by the industry as well as links to other useful maritime and military security resources.
  • NATO Shipping Centre. This site is a resource that provides counter piracy measures, a piracy alert map and other relevant piracy prevention information.
  • Eunavfor. This site provides regular updates on Operation Atalanta (counter piracy off of Somalia). The site reference is as follows: Many do look at this site for updates and information as I have been told.
  • International Chamber of Shipping IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. This site provides advice to Masters, a live piracy activity map, piracy news and figures, details of piracy prone areas and warnings and the ability to report piracy and armed robbery incidents.
  • Marine Security Centre, Horn of Africa. This site link is a must and some flag States are recommending/requiring registration of movements via this site.
  • IMO initiatives on piracy & armed robbery. This is the general section at IMO's website where updates to information on global piracy initiatives are considered by the global international community. Particular highlights of interest on the IMO's site include, but are not limited to:
    • A regularly updated list and links to piracy related documents issued by the IMO which can be found here.
    • IMO's running statistics and list of piracy & armed robbery incidents which can be found here.


Latest Updates & Advisories
  • August 10, 2017(Bab-el-Mandeb and associated region) Guidance on transits through the Bab-el-Mandeb region issued by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). For more information, please refer to the following Alert.
  • June 13, 2017(Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb) Members should note that there have been recent piracy related attacks in the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb regions. For more information, please refer to the following Alert.
  • December 22, 2016(Tianjin, People's Republic of China) It has been observed that within the last month, there has been an increasing number of reported incidents of theft in the port of Tianjin. Further information on recommendations for security measures and relevant local emergency contacts.
  • June 12, 2014(Nigeria)The United States Coast Guard (USCG) issued Port Security Advisory 2-14 that provides new requirements for vessels calling in the US if those vessels have made a port call in Nigeria in their last five port calls.


Industry Guidance on Piracy Prevention