Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 11) — Over 1,400 Filipino seafarers arrived home on Good Friday from the United States and Europe, bringing the number overseas workers repatriated during the COVID-19 pandemic to more than 11,000, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
The seafarers were flown in five batches, with the first group of 440 crewmen of the Norwegian Pearl, Sky and Sun cruise ships arriving from the US early in the morning. The DFA said all of the repatriated seamen will undergo mandatory quarantine.
The second batch comprised of 450 seafarers of the Carnival Fantasy, Freedom, Glory, Legend, and Valor cruise ships from New Orleans, USA.
At noon, 275 more Filipino workers arrived from London, including 128 crew members of MV Oceana and 147 seafarers of MV Aurora.
They were followed by a batch of 265 seafarers from the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. The group includes 126 crew of Norwegian Jewel, 10 of MS Albatros, 33 of MV Viking Star and 96 of Carnival Cruises (Ecstacy, Horizon, Legend and Sunrise).
Another 16 Filipino crew members of Mystic Cruises’ MS World Explorer arrived from Lisbon, Portugal.
The DFA said it has brought home more than 11,000 Filipino workers as of Friday, the 11th consecutive day of repatriation.
The Philippines is one of the world’s top suppliers of seafarers and crew members of cruise ships. It is estimated that Filipino crewmen make up around 30 percent of all seafarers on-board oceangoing vessels.
