The Philippine government is implementing measures to prohibit its seafarers from working on ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden near Yemen, particularly following recent escalations by Houthi militants. During a press briefing in Manila, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac outlined the government’s expanded safety protocols intended to protect Filipino seafarers amid security concerns.
Cacdac noted that many Filipino seafarers were involved in recent incidents in the region, including the seizure of the car carrier Galaxy Leader and the sinking of the bulk carrier Tutor, both of which had mostly Filipino crews. The Philippines has facilitated the repatriation of surviving crew members from these incidents, highlighting the vulnerabilities faced by its maritime workforce.
The complexity of the security situation has prompted the Department to conduct thorough risk assessments in partnership with relevant government agencies, including the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard. Given that Filipino seafarers constitute a significant portion of the maritime labor force, this decision is pivotal for their safety.
As an immediate action, the Department is targeting three shipping companies, including Evalend Shipping of Greece, linked to the problematic vessels. In particular, Filipino seafarers will be prohibited from boarding ships owned or managed by these companies while they are in the vicinity of the Red Sea. The specifics regarding the Galaxy Leader, which has connections to UK-based Zodiac Maritime, remain less defined.
Cacdac indicated that the ban could be extended based on evaluations of additional vessels that may have been targeted by Houthi militants. He also mentioned that shipowners would be required to provide letters assuring that they will not employ Filipino seafarers for voyages through these high-risk areas.
In previous months, the Department had already recommended that ships avoid Red Sea routes and explicitly restricted employment for Filipinos on passenger or cruise ships in the area due to the high number of people on board. Following similar advocacy from international organizations like the International Transport Workers’ Federation, the Philippines now mandates that shipowners inform Filipino crew members of any upcoming transit through the Red Sea, giving them the option to decline participation in such voyages.
Cacdac reported that as of now, some 78 Filipino seafarers have opted not to sail due to the risks associated with planned transits. However, concerns have arisen regarding inadequate notification time provided to seafarers, and the Department intends to take action against companies that do not meet reasonable notice requirements.
While the ban does not represent a total prohibition—Filipino seafarers can still work on other ships from these companies not passing through high-risk zones—the Department is aware of the necessity to continually amend policies for better safeguarding of its seafarers in light of evolving threats in the region.
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