18 June 2020, Berlin – Another batch of 304 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 17 June 2020 via a chartered TUI flight. They are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 18 June 2020. The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.

The Filipino crew, part of several thousand Sea Chefs and Tui Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz, and Philippine Embassy staff members Arneil Sergio and Elvin Jay Alejandro.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega gave a brief message to the Filipino crewmembers on the procedure upon arrival in the Philippines and expressed the hope that they would be able to secure employment again in the near future. Labor Attaché Cruz likewise reminded the seafarers to avail of the government’s different programs for displaced overseas workers.

The crew members expressed their hope that cruise operations would gradually be resumed by German maritime companies. To date over 2,800 Filipino crewmembers have been repatriated from Germany.

Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA. END

Filipino crew members prepare to board the flight to the Philippines (all photos by Berlin PE)

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega gives a brief message before boarding

Labatt Cruz explains the AKAP and other government programs for returning overseas workers

Another batch of 214 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 14 June 2020 via a chartered TUI Netherlands flight. They are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 15 June 2020.

The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.

The Filipino crew, part of several thousand AIDA Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, and Philippine Embassy staff members Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.

The crew members expressed their hope that cruise operations would gradually be resumed by German maritime companies. To date over 2,500 Filipino crewmembers have been repatriated from Germany.

Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA.  END

Filipino crewmembers prepare to depart via chartered flight at Hamburg International airport (all photos by Berlin PE)

Top : Ambassador Dizon-De Vega provides reminders to a group of seafarers; Bottom left: Amb. Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer and Ms. Florence Guieb, Security Officer of AIDA Cruises confer on arrangements; Bottom right: Filipino crew checking in at Hamburg International Airport

Amb. Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Gabriel with Filipino crewmembers eager to return to the Philippines

232 Filipino crewmembers from various maritime and manning companies as well as some other Filipino nationals departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on 11 June 2020 via a chartered Condor Airlines flight. The flight arrived in the Philippines on 12 June 2020.

The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March. Other Filipino nationals in Germany likewise availed of the flight to return to the Philippines.

The flight was coordinated by Business Travel Hamburg in coordination with Doehle Seafront on behalf of several companies.

The passengers were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Embassy in Germany Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Lilibeth Pono, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel, and Embassy staff members Renante Estrella, and Elvin Jay Alejandro.

The crew members expressed their hope that cruise operations would gradually be resumed by German maritime companies.

Before boarding, the passengers were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program of OWWA. END

Filipino crewmembers and passengers check-in for the chartered flight (all photos by Berlin PE)

L-R DCM Pono, Welfare Officer Gabriel, Mr. Alejandro with representative of manning companies; Filipino passengers arrive at Hamburg International Airport