The Philippines government says that 15 Filipino seafarers on board to container ships seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp’s (IRGC) are safe and unharmed.
There are a total of 15 Filipino crew onboard the vessels Epaminondas and MSC Francesca which were boarded and seized by the IRGC while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on 22 April.
The Philippines Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, “We have been assured that all 15 seafarers are safe and unharmed. We remain in close coordination with their families, the manning agency, and shipowners, and continue to provide updates and support.”
There are 10 Filipino seafarers were onboard Epaminondas and five on the MSC Francesca.
The DMW said it is taking all necessary steps to ensure the protection and welfare of the affected seafarers, while maintaining close coordination with relevant stakeholders. The Department also said it was providing support to the families of the seafarers held on the vessels.
The Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of crew to the international shipping industry and many seafarers from the country have been caught up in the conflict in the Arabian Gulf.
Some 21 Filipino seafarers were on board the Panama-flagged product tanker Aqua 1 which was hit by a missile on 1 April near Ras Laffan Industrial Hub in Qatar.
Fortunately, none of the crew were hurt in the attack and the majority of the 21 Filipino seafarers have now returned home. DMW said that a second batch of seven crew arrived in Manila of 22 April evening. So far 17 of the Filipino crew on the Aqua 1 have returned home and the Department said the remaining four were expected to return home soon.
Saudi Arabian offshore vessels company Zamil Offshore assured the DMW Secretary Cacdac that 412 Filipino seafarers on its vessels in the Gulf were safe and had sufficient supplies of food and other necessities onboard that can last for several months.
