Braving the Most Dangerous Sea in the World

Piracy remains a significant threat in several regions around the globe, with certain seas notorious for their high levels of pirate activity, which the ICC International Maritime Bureau tracks throughout the year. According to the organization, these are five regions with dangerous seas for piracy.

1. Singapore Strait, Southeast Asia

The area in and around the Singapore Strait, including the Malay Strait and other waters of the South China Sea in Southeast Asia, is significant area of concern for piracy.

During the first half of 2024, the ICC IMB reports there were 13 piracy incidents there. Pirates used guns or knives in 11 of these cases and took a total of 10 crew members hostage in six separate attacks.

The good news is, this figure might be trending downward: In 2022 there were 55 total incidents, and during the first half of 2023, there were 20 incidents.

This region is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, making it a lucrative target for pirates. The territorial disputes in the South China Sea further complicate maritime security, as rogue waves of piracy threaten vessels navigating these dangerous waters.

2. Waters Around the Indian Archipelago, Southeast Asia and Oceania

The waters surrounding the Indian Archipelago — including the Celebes Sea, Banda Sea and Java Sea — are experiencing a rise in piracy, according to the ICC IMB. During the first half of 2024, there were 12 incidents.

The organization says the region hasn’t seen a number that high since the first half of 2021, when there were 15 piracy and armed robbery attacks against ships there. Most of these attacks occurred around Dumai, Indonesia, with the pirates using knives or guns.

3. Gulf of Guinea, West Africa

The Gulf of Guinea, including the Niger River delta, saw 10 piracy and armed robbery attacks during the first half of 2024, according to the ICC IMB.

Believe it or not, this is a vast improvement from recent years; in 2021, the region accounted for 43 percent of all piracy events and 95 percent of global kidnappings at sea.

While the number of reported incidents has been trending downward in recent years, this region still requires seafarers to be vigilant. Pirates in this area often target cargo ships and fishing vessels, seeking ransoms or valuable goods.

The Gulf’s strategic location near vital sea routes exacerbates the risk, posing significant security challenges to all maritime traffic.

4. Peruvian Coast, South America

According to the ICC IMB, in 2023 there were 19 incidents of piracy in the northern waters off of South America, for an average of 9.5 attacks per six-month period. That includes events in the South Pacific Ocean, Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The figure was actually down from 2022, when there were 24 piracy incidents in the region.

In 2023, the vast majority of attacks (14) took place around Callao, Peru. Using guns or knives, the pirates took several crew members hostage, threatening or even assaulting them. Other incidents took place near Macapa, Brazil, and Puerto Bolivar, Colombia.

5. Somali Coast, East Africa

The Somali coast, including the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, has been infamous for piracy going back for decades. Between 2009 and 2011, ships reported 200 incidents annually, although the situation has improved significantly in recent times. The ICC IMB reports there were 8 piracy and armed robbery attacks in the region during the first half of 2024.

The Red Sea, which connects to the Gulf of Aden via the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, is another hotspot for Somali pirates. Between November 2023 and April 2024, there were 18 vessels hijacked by pirates there. Houthi militia were responsible for dozens of other incidents in the area.

The region’s extreme weather conditions and territorial disputes have made it a breeding ground for violent attacks. Despite international naval efforts to secure these dangerous seas, piracy incidents remain a concern for ships passing through this strategic location.

In addition to piracy, certain seas are notorious for the number of shipwrecks and maritime disasters they witness annually. Certain regions around the globe have seen higher concentrations of shipwrecks over the past decade due to a combination of factors such as heavy maritime traffic, unpredictable weather and navigational hazards.

The top causes of shipwrecks are foundering (sinking), grounding, fires or explosions, machinery failures, collisions and hull damage.

Of all the different types of ships, cargo ships are by far the most common type of vessel to be lost at sea, accounting for over 60 percent of the global losses in 2023. Taking all this into consideration, here are the top five regions with the most shipping losses between 2014 and 2023.

1. South China Sea

The maritime region around South China, Indochina, Indonesia and the Philippines is the most dangerous area globally in terms of shipping losses. Between 2014 and 2023, this region experienced 184 total vessel losses, with 8 occurring in 2023 alone.

The South China Sea, in particular, is notorious for its extreme weather conditions, such as high winds and rough seas. The massive volume of global trade passing through these waters significantly contributes to the high number of incidents — 10 of the world’s 20 busiest container ports are located in China.

2. East Mediterranean and the Black Sea

The East Mediterranean and Black Sea region ranks second in shipping losses, with 115 total vessel losses recorded between 2014 and 2023, including six in 2023. The Black Sea is particularly treacherous due to its unpredictable weather patterns, strong winds and navigational hazards (such as rogue waves).

This sea, situated between Europe and Asia, is prone to severe weather conditions that can quickly turn deadly for ships navigating these waters. The region’s geopolitical conflicts further exacerbate the risks of accidents, making it one of the most dangerous seas for maritime traffic.

3. East China Sea and Pacific Ocean

The waters surrounding Japan, Korea and North China, including parts of the East China Sea and Pacific Ocean, saw 62 total shipping losses over the past decade and three in 2023. This region’s severe weather, typhoons and rough seas are major contributing factors to the high number of maritime disasters.

The East China Sea is known for its massive waves and unpredictable storms, making it a hazardous area for vessels, especially during the typhoon season. Between July and September each year, the area sees about four typhoons, the winds of which can exceed 150 miles per hour (240 kph).

4. North Sea, English Channel and Bay of Biscay

The waters around the British Isles, including the North Sea, English Channel and Bay of Biscay, recorded 54 total losses from 2014 to 2023, with three occurring in 2023. This region is notorious for its rough weather, fierce winds and rogue waves.

No other shipping lane in the world sees as much action as the English Channel, with more than 500 ships passing through it each day. With this much maritime traffic coming and going, it’s no wonder the region also saw the highest number of reported shipping incidents in 2023, with 695 incidents, largely due to machinery damage or failure.

5. Arabian Gulf

The Arabian Gulf region experienced 38 total shipping losses between 2014 and 2023. This region’s extreme weather conditions — including high winds, sandstorms and dust storms — pose significant challenges to navigation.

The Persian Gulf is an important region for global oil transport, equating to various territorial disputes and heavy maritime traffic. Navigational hazards such as shallow waters and narrow straits further increase the risk of maritime disasters in this area.

Here are some of the factors that make the world’s most dangerous seas so perilous.

1. Unpredictable Weather

One of the most significant factors that make a sea dangerous is the weather. Unpredictable weather patterns can transform seemingly calm waters into deadly traps.

The North Atlantic Ocean is infamous for its rough seas, strong winds and sudden storms that often catch ships off guard. These extreme weather conditions, combined with the powerful currents of the Gulf Stream, make it home to some of the most hazardous sea routes.

In regions like the Southern Ocean and the waters around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, gale-force winds, massive waves and wild weather are common. The Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica is notorious for its fierce winds and towering waves, making it one of the most treacherous routes even for experienced sailors.

Rogue waves and huge waves are other factors that contribute to the danger of certain seas. Rogue waves are unpredictable, massive waves that can reach heights of over 98 feet (30 meters), posing a significant threat to any vessel caught in their path. These waves are particularly common in the North Sea and the Southern Oceans, where rough weather and severe weather conditions are the norm.

2. Navigational Hazards

Navigational hazards are another critical factor that makes a sea dangerous. These hazards include shallow waters, hidden reefs and sea ice that can severely damage vessels. The Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea is a well-known navigational challenge, where even slight deviations from the course can lead to maritime disasters.

The Bering Sea in the northern Pacific Ocean is another area fraught with navigational hazards. The combination of sea ice, strong currents and adverse weather conditions poses significant risks to ships, particularly fishing vessels and cargo ships that frequent these dangerous waters.

3. High Maritime Traffic

Seas with high levels of maritime traffic are inherently more dangerous due to the increased risk of collisions and accidents.

The South China Sea is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with a constant flow of vessels involved in global trade. The congestion in these waters, combined with unpredictable storms and territorial disputes, increases the likelihood of accidents.

Similarly, the Singapore Strait and the Malay Strait are critical chokepoints for maritime traffic in Southeast Asia. The dense concentration of vessels in these narrow straits, coupled with bad weather and navigational hazards, make these areas particularly dangerous for mariners.

4. Pirate Activity

Piracy remains a significant threat in certain regions around the world, such as the Gulf of Guinea and the waters off the Somali coast.

These are two of the most notorious piracy hotspots, where pirate attacks on cargo ships and fishing vessels are common. The presence of pirates in these regions adds a layer of security challenges to the already hazardous conditions.

5. Territorial Disputes

Certain seas are dangerous due to their strategic importance and the resulting territorial disputes among the surrounding countries.

The South China Sea is a prime example, where overlapping claims by multiple countries have led to heightened tensions and security challenges. The Persian Gulf is another strategically important area where maritime traffic is at risk due to geopolitical tensions.

These disputes often lead to increased military presence and a higher likelihood of confrontations, making these seas dangerous not just from natural hazards but also from human conflict.