Bulk Carrier Boarded in Piracy-Prone Philip Channel

British maritime security firm Ambrey has reported that a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier was boarded by four intruders while sailing eastbound through the Philip Channel—an area that has emerged as a global hotspot for piracy in recent months.

The individuals were said to be armed with knives. At the time of the boarding, the vessel was moving at a speed of 10.6 knots and had a freeboard height of approximately 6.7 meters. Despite the incident, the ship continued on its intended course without deviation.

The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB) recently reported a sharp increase in piracy and armed robbery incidents during the first quarter of 2025, largely due to a surge in activity within the Singapore Strait.

According to the IMB’s Q1 statistics, there were 45 reported incidents of piracy and robbery at sea globally—an increase of nearly 35% compared to the same period in 2024. Notably, 27 of those cases occurred in the Singapore Strait, up from just seven during the same timeframe last year.

Ambrey has issued safety guidance urging ship crews to secure access points to accommodation areas and ship stores when navigating this heavily trafficked and high-risk maritime corridor.