40 Philippines seafarers safe after Singapore Strait collision

This photo taken on April 21, 2026, shows vessels in the Singapore straits.

AFP / Roslan Rahman

MANILA, Philippines — About 40 Filipino seafarers on Panama-flagged bulk carrier First Margaux were confirmed safe after it collided with a China-registered fishing vessel in the Singapore Strait.

None of the Filipino crew members were reported injured, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said yesterday.

The Department of Migrant Workers is still gathering information from the vessel’s manning agency.

The DMW is coordinating with the families of affected seafarers and will provide aid as needed.

First Margaux collided with Lu Qing Yuan Yu on Sept. 17, the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore said.

“The vessel was subsequently towed to Raffles Reserved Anchorage for assessment. Essential crew remained onboard to support the tow, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force supported the transfer of other crew to shore. MPA also issued navigational safety broadcasts to keep other vessels clear of the tow and escorted the vessel into port with a MPA craft,” the MPA said.

“There were no reported injuries among the crew of either vessel or pollution arising from the incident. Navigational traffic was not affected,” it added.