German cruise firm hires 217 Pinoy seafarers

MANILA, Philippines — As thousands of Filipino seafarers face uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 217 newly hired Filipino seafarers returned to Germany last week to resume work in cruise ships.

The 217 Filipino seafarers were hired by the German line AIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corp., for its three ships that will resume operations in August under new health and safety protocols.

The Filipino seafarers arrived on board a chartered flight at Rostock Airport in Germany on July 22.

—Dona Z. Pazzibugan