Filipino seafarers start arriving home from UkraineFilipino seafarers start arriving home from Ukraine

The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs said officials from the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (OUMWA) welcomed home the first 21 seafarers from the S-Breeze on Tuesday having flown back from Bucharest, Romania.

A group of seven Filipino seafarers from the Joseph Schulte were also expected to arrive on Tuesday. Crew from the Star Helena, Global Aglaia, Key Knight and Pavlina, were all on their way back from Bucharest to Manila.

“The Department expects more arrivals in the coming days as it steps up its efforts to bring home our kababayan from Ukraine,” stated OUMWA Undersecretary Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.

Earlier this week Seatrade Maritime News reported on around 40 seafarers being evacuated by the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service from the vessels Maran Excellence, Maran Astronomer, Nord Virgo, and Star Laura.

Five international trading vessels have been shelled or struck in Ukrainian ports since the conflict began, and at least one seafarer has been reported to have been killed.