40 Filipino Seafarers Reported Safe After Iran Attacks Two Commercial Ships in Strait of Hormuz

All 40 Filipino seafarers aboard two commercial vessels attacked by Iran while passing through the Strait of Hormuz are safe and unharmed, the Philippine government said on Monday.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, citing a report from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), said 21 Filipinos, including the ship’s captain, were on board the Singaporean-flagged MV Ever Lovely, while another 19 Filipino crew members were serving on the Panamanian-flagged MV Kiku.

She said no one was injured in either attack and both vessels remained seaworthy, allowing them to continue their voyages.

Speaking at a Palace briefing, Castro said the MV Ever Lovely is expected to arrive in Singapore on July 5. She added that the MV Kiku, an oil tanker, also continued its voyage after the attack, with all 19 Filipino crew members safe.

The Philippine government said it is continuing to monitor both vessels and the condition of their crews. The latest attacks come as thousands of Filipino seafarers remain on ships operating in the Gulf.

As of June 29, about 2,100 Filipino seafarers aboard 85 vessels had safely left the Persian Gulf, according to the Palace. However, around 3,800 Filipino seafarers are still working on ships in the region.

In a separate statement, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said both ships were hit by projectiles while leaving the Strait of Hormuz. Although the vessels suffered damage, they remained seaworthy and continued their voyages.

“The Department shall continue to monitor the situation of the Filcrew on board and provide assistance to them and their families,” Cacdac said.

Recruitment consultant Emmanuel Geslani said around 2,000 Filipino seafarers aboard more than 500 ships are still unable to leave the Persian Gulf. He said they are expected to be included in an evacuation plan being coordinated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to Geslani, the plan is expected to help about 11,000 seafarers of different nationalities, with ships required to follow IMO instructions while passing through designated sea lanes.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained under pressure after Iran imposed shipping restrictions following U.S. and Israeli air strikes earlier this year.

Although efforts have been made to reduce tensions after a ceasefire, commercial ships continue to face security risks while sailing through the narrow waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Any disruption to shipping through the strait can affect global supply chains, increase transport costs and push up oil prices.

Separately, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has provided more than P11 million in assistance to over 4,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who returned from the Middle East.

DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the agency has released more than P1.135 million in livelihood assistance to 57 OFWs, over P9.6 million in financial assistance to 1,818 OFWs, and P300,000 in medical aid to one returning worker.

As of June 29, the DSWD said it had provided 6,588 services worth more than P11 million to 4,398 returning OFWs across the country.

According to Axios, Iran and the United States have agreed to stop recent hostilities in the Gulf and resume talks over their dispute involving the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could help prevent further military exchanges that had threatened an interim peace agreement.

References: firstpost, gmanetwork