Over 100 PH container vessels stuck in Strait of Hormuz

MANILA, Philippines – The flow of goods to and from the Philippines is currently strained by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as around 100 container vessels are trapped within the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping executive said.

Speaking to the Senate agriculture panel on Wednesday, April 8, Association of International Shipping Lines (ASIL) president Patrick Ronas said about 130 container ships are trapped in the Strait of Hormuz, with very few able to get out. 

“Aside from that, you also have your general cargo ships and a few tankers that will have to maneuver or find a way as to how they get out of that strait,” he said.

In a recent meeting with the trade department, Ronas explained that ASIL, composed of 36 member firms, expressed concern that products exported from the Philippines will not reach their destinations.

Ronas further explained that ships carrying Philippine exports are often discharged right before the Strait of Hormuz in Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. The containers aboard these ships will now have to be trucked to their final destinations.

“Because of the vessels being trapped in the strait, a diversion of services is being done, reassessment of the network is also being done, as well as containers being offloaded to other ports,” he said.

According to the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), just four Philippine-flagged ships are in the “danger zone” of the Middle East conflict.

MARINA Spokesman Lui delos Santos said being in the “danger zone” does not necessarily mean they are in the Strait of Hormuz. They are considered within a danger zone since the best route out of their areas is to either go around or pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian government earlier allowed two Philippine ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. These include a tanker and a bulk carrier, which were bound for India and China, respectively. – Rappler.com