UN Disarms Merchant Ships While Pirates Hold 90 Sailors Hostage

Clear Facts

• The International Maritime Organization told countries to “strongly discourage” merchant ship crews from arming themselves for self-defense against piracy
• Somali pirates currently hold 90 sailors hostage as maritime attacks surge worldwide
• Piracy incidents rose to 171 successful or attempted attacks in 2025, according to the UN agency’s annual report

A United Nations maritime agency is advising countries to prevent merchant vessel crews from acquiring firearms for protection against pirates, even as 90 sailors remain captive to Somali pirate gangs. The directive comes at a time when maritime piracy has sharply increased across international waters.

The International Maritime Organization issued its annual report in June, documenting 171 incidents of piracy attacks or attempted hijackings during 2025. The spike in maritime crime has left commercial shipping crews increasingly vulnerable as they navigate dangerous waters off the coast of Somalia and other high-risk regions.

Despite the rising threat and dozens of hostages currently in pirate captivity, the IMO maintains its position that merchant sailors should remain unarmed. The agency’s guidance to member nations emphasizes “strongly discouraging” the practice of crew members carrying weapons for self-defense while at sea.

The policy places international maritime workers in a precarious position—sailing through pirate-infested waters without effective means of protecting themselves or their cargo. Critics argue that disarming merchant crews while piracy escalates demonstrates the disconnect between UN bureaucrats and the dangerous realities faced by working sailors.

Somali piracy has long plagued international shipping lanes, with criminal organizations targeting vessels for ransom. The current hostage situation involves 90 crew members whose safety remains uncertain as negotiations drag on.

The IMO’s stance reflects a broader international reluctance to acknowledge the practical need for armed self-defense in lawless maritime zones. While naval patrols attempt to provide security, the vast expanse of international waters makes comprehensive protection impossible, leaving individual vessels exposed to attack.

The debate over arming merchant crews highlights fundamental questions about self-defense rights and the effectiveness of international governance. As piracy numbers climb and hostages languish in captivity, the UN agency’s disarmament recommendation appears increasingly out of touch with maritime security realities.

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