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Repatriation efforts for Filipino seafarers have accelerated following recent attacks on vessels in conflict zones, with the Department of Migrant Workers confirming the safe return of dozens of crew members.
The Department of Migrant Workers has reported a surge in repatriations over the last week, bringing home seafarers from vessels struck by drones in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. On 12 August, seven Filipino crew members from the Liberian-flagged bulker Emil landed in Manila. They had been repatriated after their vessel was hit by a drone while berthed in the Port of Odessa, Ukraine.
Just days later, on 13 August, 25 seafarers arrived in Manila. This group comprised 22 crew from the bulk carrier Johny and three from the tanker Marathi. Both vessels were damaged in drone strikes while handling the Black Sea. Earlier in the week, on 10 August, 20 seafarers returned home, including 12 from the tanker Acheloos and eight from the bulker Else.
The DMW continues to address the situation of 281 Filipino seafarers caught up in attacks in the Black Sea. Of the total, 262 were reported safe and unharmed, three had died, 15 were injured, and one was missing. Around 200 have been repatriated, including the 15 injured crew and two of the three deceased seafarers.
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Meanwhile, the department is monitoring the situation of around 3,000 Filipino crew stranded in the Arabian Gulf due to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. These seafarers have been stuck on vessels in the region for five and a half months.
Seafarers are increasingly exercising their right to refuse to sail into high-risk areas and war zones. This right was emphasized by DMW Assistant Secretary Maria Regina Angela G. Galias, who noted that while some crew members were successfully repatriated, others were not so fortunate.
While the government focuses on bringing home those who have already been injured or killed, the reality for many Filipino crew members currently offshore is that they remain trapped in volatile regions. The ongoing exchanges of fire between Ukraine and Russia have forced the department to strictly enforce its directive to temporarily suspend the deployment of Filipino crew members to the Northern Black Sea. The DMW indicated it will take disciplinary action against crewing agencies and shipowners found violating this directive.
Separate repatriation details emerged for other vessels in the region. Three seafarers returned home from the bulker Abu Al Abyad, which was involved in an attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, 11 crew disembarked from the tanker Europe I ahead of its planned transit through designated High-Risk and Warlike Areas in the northern Black Sea region. Eight seafarers returned to Manila after the bulk carrier Breadfan was struck by a drone in the Russian Port of Novorossiysk.
