The Philippine government has confirmed that 15 Filipino seafarers aboard two container ships seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are safe and unharmed.
The vessels, Epaminondas and MSC Francesca, were boarded and seized while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on April 22.
There were 10 Filipino crew members on Epaminondas and five on MSC Francesca.
Hans Leo J. Cacdac, secretary of the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers, said authorities have received assurances that all 15 seafarers are safe. The department remains in contact with their families, manning agencies and shipowners.
The DMW said it is taking all necessary steps to protect the welfare of the affected seafarers and is providing support to their families.
The Philippines is the world’s largest supplier of seafarers to the international shipping industry, and many Filipino crew members have been affected by the conflict in the Arabian Gulf.
On April 1, 21 Filipino seafarers were aboard the Panama-flagged product tanker Aqua 1 when it was hit by a missile near Ras Laffan Industrial Hub in Qatar. None of the crew were injured.
So far, 17 of the Filipino crew from Aqua 1 have returned home, with the remaining four expected to return soon.
Saudi Arabian offshore vessel company Zamil Offshore also assured Philippine officials that 412 Filipino seafarers on its vessels in the Gulf are safe and have sufficient supplies of food and necessities for several months.
