Which Country Has the World's Most Pirate-Infested Waters?

Somali waters are no longer the most heavily pirated in the world, according to a recent CNBC investigation. Global piracy is becoming increasingly problematic for governments, shipping firms, cruise lines, mariners and energy companies.

Based on International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB) data, Somalia and Gulf of Aden still have pirate-infested waters, but over the last five quarters, a new country’s national waters have become the most heavily pirated on earth.

Indonesia’s 17,500 islands and their surrounding waters now take the title as the world’s most heavily pirated.

National navies are becoming progressively more active in combating piracy, along with more armed security companies being employed on commercial vessels and tankers. NBC News stated that this was a concept that was rare, and even discouraged, in many maritime circles as recently as 2008.

Pirates are catching on, however, refining their tactics and beefing up their armament.

Below is the list of the world’s most pirate-infested waters, based on attacks in the last five quarters (roughly 1 year and 3 months):

1. Indonesia (43 Attacks)
2. Somalia (31 Attacks)
3. Nigeria (22 Attacks)
4. Gulf of Aden (10 Attacks)
5. India (7 Attacks)
6. Red Sea (7 Attacks)
7. Bangladesh (7 Attacks)
8. Ivory Coast (6 Attacks)
9. Peru (4 Attacks)
10. Singapore Straits (4 Attacks)

Check out MarEx's coverage of the latest attacks:

At Least 20 Dead in Bay of Bengal Pirate Attack

Pirates Are in Full Force This Month

Oil Tanker Hijacked Off Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Armed Pirates Storm Oil Tanker Off Niger Delta, Kidnap 5

British Cargo Ship Attacked by Pirates in Gulf of Guinea, 3 Taken Hostage

One Dead in Another Tanker Attack Off Nigeria

Nigerian Pirates Seize French Oil Tanker off Ivory Coast, 17 Kidnapped