81 PH seafarers safe after ships exit Strait of Hormuz

Four Philippine-registered vessels carrying 81 Filipino seafarers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

“The 81 Filipino seafarers on board the four ships are now safe and have resumed their normal seafaring duties while some have availed [themselves] of the opportunity to return to their families,” the department said in a statement.

The vessels, MV Western Doncaster, MV Vivian Trader, MV Lyng Trader and MV Eva Fuji, completed their transit through the strategic waterway between June 24 and July 1, the DFA said.

The statement came as renewed fighting between the United States and Iran continued to disrupt commercial shipping through the critical Strait of Hormuz, prompting concerns over the safety of civilian vessels and their crews.

Evacuation framework

The DFA also acknowledged the role of the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in supporting civilian shipping and facilitating the transit of seafarers affected by the conflict.

It said the evacuation framework established through the UN and IMO has so far enabled the safe passage of 136 vessels and about 2,900 seafarers.

The department added that it would continue monitoring the situation in the Persian Gulf and assisting Filipino seafarers who remain stranded in the region after the escalation of hostilities.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the regions beyond, is one of the world’s busiest waterways and a key route for global energy shipments. INQ