Nearly 1,200 Filipino seafarers now out of Hormuz strait

MANILA, Philippines — Two more vessels carrying Filipino seafarers have safely exited the Strait of Hormuz, bringing the total number of Filipinos moved out of the high-risk area to nearly 1,200.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Tuesday, April 29, the vessels Omicron Nikos and Nord cleared the strait on April 25 after being stranded in the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The Russia-flagged Nord, 142-meter superyacht reportedly linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, was among those that passed through the narrow waterway.

A total of 36 Filipino seafarers were on board the two vessels, according to the DMW.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac earlier said that around 800 Filipino crew members had already been ferried out via cruise ships that were able to pass through the strait with passengers.

Maritime trackers showed that several cruise ships crossed the route on April 18, after Iran briefly lifted restrictions on the strait during the conflict.

However, 15 Filipino seafarers remain on board two container ships seized by Iranian forces on April 22.

The vessels, identified as the Epaminondas and the Francesca, remain under Iranian control, although authorities have assured that the Filipino crew members are safe.

"We have been assured that all 15 Filipino seafarers are safe, unharmed, and it will be a matter of time for their ships to be cleared," Cacdac said.

The DMW said it will continue to monitor vessel movements and coordinate with manning agencies and shipowners to ensure the safety of Filipino seafarers, while maintaining communication with their families.