Ocean shipping is the backbone of global trade, with around 80 percent of the world’s goods being transported by ships. Between 1990 and 2021, the volume of cargo transported by ships had increased from four to nearly 11 billion tons, and with that grew also the global merchant fleet. In a world plagued by violence and turmoil, the shipping industry has not gone unscathed, with recent events including ships facing attacks from Yemen’s Houthis as they approach the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. However, this is not the only threat facing the vital shipping industry. Piracy has and continues to pose a problem off the coast of many countries – such as off the coast of Peru, or in the Singapore straits. With ever-evolving technology which can be used for malicious intent, it is vital that the International Maritime Organisation step in and find a solution for global shipping lanes to flow uninterrupted and securely, and tackle the threats full steam ahead.