A United Nations agency has advised countries to “strongly discourage” crews on merchant ships from carrying firearms as a defense against piracy, even as 90 sailors remain hostages of Somali pirates.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) reported a rise in piracy incidents in 2025, noting 171 cases of successful or attempted high-seas attacks. However, the UN-affiliated agency remains firmly opposed to arming potential targets of pirate attacks, referring to a circular from June 2015 in a press release that followed the recent seizure of an Eritrean oil tanker by Somali pirates.
The 2015 circular warns, “For legal and safety reasons, flag States should strongly discourage the carrying and use of firearms by seafarers for personal protection or for the protection of a ship.” It highlights that seafarers are civilians and handling firearms necessitates specialized training. The agency further states that having weapons on board could prompt attackers to carry even more dangerous arms, which could exacerbate an already perilous situation. In essence, any firearm aboard could potentially become a target for would-be attackers.
I don’t believe in Karma, but…. Somali pirates just hijacked…a sanctioned Iranian oil tanker. It’s now in a Somali port. https://t.co/jVtx9AjwN5
— Peter Schweizer (@peterschweizer) August 24, 2026
The circular goes on to state that employing privately contracted armed security personnel could escalate violence. It emphasizes that the presence of such armed personnel is governed by the regulations of the flag State and should be determined through discussions with shipowners, companies, and operators. The agency urges flag States to consider the potential for increased violence when formulating their policies regarding armed personnel on merchant ships.
As of Monday, Somali pirates were holding 90 sailors following the August 22nd capture of the Eritrean tanker, according to an IMO press release. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez urged nations to adhere to the guidance provided in the release, reiterating information from the 2015 circular.
According to the annual report, the Strait of Malacca and the waters near Singapore were particularly active, with 122 of the 171 incidents occurring in that area. The combination of narrow passages, heavy maritime traffic, and various islands that offer hiding spots and escape routes contribute to the high frequency of piracy in those waters, as noted in a report from Security Outlines.
The IMO did not respond to inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation regarding its recommendations, while the Department of War and Maritime Administration (MARAD) also declined to comment.
MARAD directed inquiries to the United States Coast Guard, which did not comment on whether these recommendations genuinely improve safety for American merchant mariners. Some have argued for allowing crews to carry arms, suggesting it might deter pirate attacks since assailants could be less inclined to target vessels likely to have armed resistance.
The circular also stated that when entering a port or country’s territorial waters, merchant ships must abide by the laws of that jurisdiction. Countries like Australia and Japan maintain strict gun control regulations.
Research from the Crime Prevention Research Center indicates that right-to-carry laws can reduce violent crime by increasing risks for offenders. John Lott, President of CPRC, dismissed the recommendations made in the circular.
The legendary naval battle between US and Somali pirates 😂
Context : 2006, Somali pirates attacked the USS Cape St. George and USS Gonzalez pic.twitter.com/bRwgUk2KJ4
— War Monitor Clips (@WarMonitorClips) March 4, 2026
“This is just the same kind of fear mongering seen with calls for citizens to avoid defending themselves,” Lott stated. He pointed out that while passive responses to threats are often promoted, they can be unsafe. According to Lott, women who respond passively are roughly 2.4 times more likely to suffer serious injury than those who carry firearms, and men face similar increased risks.
His perspective is that the best way to combat piracy is to raise the stakes for pirates. He elaborated, “You can increase risks for criminals through higher arrest and conviction rates, longer sentences—but also by empowering victims to defend themselves. If you can deter them from attacking in the first place, there’s no concern about escalation.”
Historically, the United States has confronted piracy since its early days. In the early 1800s, the U.S. utilized naval power against piracy threatening its commerce, particularly during the First and Second Barbary Wars in the Mediterranean, where pirates demanded tribute after seizing merchant vessels. The U.S. later conducted similar operations in the Caribbean, forming the West Indies Squadron. Since 2000, the U.S. Navy has been involved in various engagements with pirates, including the notorious 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia.
