Filipino seafarers return to sea despite war risks in the Strait of Hormuz and Black Sea

As insecurity in key waterways from the Strait of Hormuz to the Black Sea escalates, Filipino seafarers describe working through missile strikes, ration shortages and prolonged delays.

The International Maritime Organization says nearly 20,000 sailors on 1,500 ships were stranded in March 2026, falling to around 6,000 on 400–500 ships by July, with about 2,500 Filipinos still stuck.

Al Jazeera’s Barnaby Lo reports from Manila.

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