Manila: Four Philippine-registered vessels manned by 81 Filipino seafarers safely transited through the Strait of Hormuz and have exited the conflict area in the Persian Gulf region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the vessels, namely MV Western Doncaster, MV Vivian Trader, MV Lyng Trader, and MV Eva Fuji, passed through the strait between June 24 and July 1. The 81 Filipino seafarers on board the four ships are now safe and have resumed their normal seafaring duties while some have availed of the opportunity to return to their families, the DFA reported.

Under a framework established through the United Nations (UN) and the International Maritime Organization, a total of 136 vessels and approximately 2,900 seafarers have successfully transited through the strait. Evacuation operations in the area, however, were suspended following the end of the temporary ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

The UN has since called on all parties to step up diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful and durable settlement that includes the "full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz." The DFA, for its part, said it will continue to monitor the situation and look after the safety of remaining Filipinos stranded in the region.