The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC) follows the definition of Piracy as laid down in Article 101 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Armed Robbery as laid down in Resolution A.1025 (26) adopted on 2 December 2009 at the 26th Assembly Session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Before 1992, shipmasters and ship operators had nowhere to turn to when their ships were attacked, robbed or hijacked either in port or out at sea. Local law enforcement either turned a deaf ear, or chose to ignore that there was a serious problem in their waters.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recognised a need to establish a reporting centre which would serve as the first point of contact for the shipmaster to report any incident of piracy, armed robbery or even stowaways - thus initiating the process of response. This need prompted the IMB to set up the 24 hour manned Piracy Reporting Centre (PRC).

The main aim of the PRC is to raise awareness within the shipping industry, which includes the shipmaster, ship-owner, insurance companies, traders, etc, of the areas of high risk associated with piratical attacks or specific ports and anchorages associated with armed robberies on board ships.

The main function of the PRC is two fold:

1) Tto be the single point of contact for ship Masters anywhere in the world who are under piratical or armed robbery attack. The inforamtion received from the Masters is immediately relayed to the local law enforcement agencies requesting assistance.

2) The information received from the ship Masters is immediately broadcast to all vessels in the Ocean region - thus hilighting the threat to a Master enroute into the area of risk.

The PRC works closely with various governments and law enforcement agencies and is involved in information sharing with industry, law enforcement, governments and flag states in an attempt to reduce and ultimately eradicate this crime.

The work of the 24 hour manned PRC is vital to shipping in understanding the areas of risk as well as the shifts in these areas of risk. 

The services of the PRC are free to the industy. The PRC is funded purely on donations. If you acknowledge that the work done by the PRC, in raising awareness of this crime and increasing the safety for seafarers, is essential and required please support it by contributing towards its functions. Donations are acknowledged on the website as well as in the IMB quarterly and annual piracy and armed robbery reports. 

CLICK HERE to report an incident to the 24-hour manned Piracy Reporting Centre :

CLICK HERE to download and complete a Piracy & Armed Robbery Report