The last three Filipino seafarers from the MSC Aries have safely returned to the Philippines. This ship, flying the Portuguese flag, was seized by Iranian authorities in April while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) announced their safe return this weekend.
Filipino Crew Returns Home
The crew consisted of four Filipino members. One had been released earlier in May due to health concerns.
“We just didn’t announce it, but the three remaining Filipinos on the MSC Aries, which was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz, have been quietly returned home,” stated DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Cacdac confirmed their return last Thursday. He expressed gratitude to the DFA, the ship owner, and even the Iranian government for facilitating their return.
Incident Details
The MSC Aries, with a total crew of 25, was seized by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on April 13. This action followed Tehran’s threat of retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Damascus. Although Iran claimed in May that the crew was released, the ship remains under Iranian control. Iran agreed to replace the seafarers at the end of their contracts to ensure the ship’s operations continue smoothly.
Iran’s foreign ministry previously stated that the Aries was seized for “violating maritime laws” and suggested it had links to Israel.
Global Maritime Security Concerns
The MSC Aries is leased by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company from Gortal Shipping, linked to Zodiac Maritime, partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
This incident led the global shipping industry to address a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The letter urged the UN to enhance protection for maritime security and innocent seafarers. It stated, “Innocent seafarers have been killed, seafarers are being held hostage. This would be unacceptable on land, and it is unacceptable at sea.”
Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Houthis continue to launch drone and missile attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These actions show support for Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas conflict.