81 Filipino Seafarers Exit Strait of Hormuz Safely

The Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines confirmed that 81 Filipino seafarers aboard four Philippine-registered vessels—MV Western Doncaster, MV Vivian Trader, MV Lyng Trader, and MV Eva Fuji—safely exited the Strait of Hormuz between June 24 and July 1, 2026. The transit was conducted under a framework established by the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization, which facilitated the movement of 136 vessels and approximately 2,900 seafarers through the volatile region.

Ship movements were disrupted by military escalation involving United States strikes against targets in Iran and Iranian attacks on U.S.-allied facilities in Gulf states. While the four Filipino vessels successfully departed, the expiration of a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States has led to the suspension of evacuation operations, leaving some Filipino nationals stranded in the region.

Officials stated that the crew members have either resumed their seafaring duties or returned to their families. The coordinated effort aimed to restore international navigational rights in a critical artery for global energy supplies during the period of conflict.