GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 10, 2026
Piracy
Under Article 101 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), piracy means illegal acts of violence, detention or depredation committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship on the high seas, or in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state, against another ship or against persons and property on board.
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Source: https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/part7.htm
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Definition & Explanation
Under Article 101 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), piracy means illegal acts of violence, detention or depredation committed for private ends by the crew or passengers of a private ship on the high seas, or in a place outside the jurisdiction of any state, against another ship or against persons and property on board. The same acts in a state's territorial waters are referred to by the IMO as armed robbery against ships. For merchant shipping the consequences range from theft of cargo and equipment to the hijacking of entire vessels and crews for ransom. Well-known risk areas are the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia, the Gulf of Guinea and the Singapore Strait. Carriers respond with security measures under the Best Management Practices, armed guards, route changes and higher insurance premiums, which may be passed on to shippers as surcharges. Not to be confused with product piracy, the copying and counterfeiting of branded goods.
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