About 2,500 Filipino seafarers cannot leave the Persian Gulf. They are on cargo ships unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the Philippines' Department of Migrant Workers confirmed on July 12.
The standstill follows Iran's declaration that the Strait is closed to non-compliant ships and the renewal of military strikes between US forces and Iran earlier in the week.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed the figure and said ship owners are providing food, water, and fuel to crews whose contracts have lapsed. Salaries continue to be remitted to families.
More than 3,500 Filipino seafarers had already exited the Strait before the latest escalation, according to the department. The 2,500 who remain are part of roughly 6,000 international seafarers stranded in or near the waterway, a figure the International Maritime Organization reported earlier this month.
Track this story live on MarineRadar
Follow the ships and waters behind the headline in real time — satellite positions every 5 minutes, full voyage history and arrival alerts, straight from your phone.
Related stories
All maritime news
Marine News543 Stranded at Philippine Ports as Habagat and Typhoon Dolphin Hit
Southwest monsoon intensified by Typhoon Dolphin strands 543 passengers, truck drivers and cargo helpers at 28 Philippine ports; Philippine Ports
Marine NewsThird Filipino Seafarer Dies in Black Sea Attacks as Philippines Halts Deployments
Third Filipino seafarer dies in Black Sea drone and missile attacks on commercial vessels near Ukrainian ports; DMW halts new deployments to danger
Marine NewsChina Fires Water Cannon at Philippine Vessel at Scarborough Shoal
A Chinese coast guard ship fired a water cannon at a Philippine government vessel near Scarborough Shoal for over two minutes, while a second
Marine NewsPhilippines Maritime Authority Cyberattack Suspends Seafarer Document Processing
Philippines Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) hit by cyberattack, suspending Seafarer Identity Document and Seafarer Record Book processing
Earlier stories
Published before this one
12 Jul 2026Southern Hormuz Corridor Open Despite Iran Closure, CENTCOM Says
12 Jul 2026Qatar Suspends All Maritime Activity as Hormuz Crisis Deepens
12 Jul 2026TIRRANNA becomes first ship to carry an Oceanbird rigid wing sail at sea
12 Jul 2026US Destroys Chabahar Control Tower, Hitting India’s $120M Port Investment
Never miss a story that moves the seas
The incidents, chokepoint shifts and vessel movements that matter — in your inbox the moment they break.
