All 21 seafarers have been evacuated from a Hong Kong-controlled bulker that grounded in the eastern Philippines.

The 51,000-dwt Ambition Journey (built 2001) was carrying 49,550 tonnes of nickel ore when it got stuck in shallow water off Sulangan Island on Monday morning, the Inquirer website reported.

The vessel had left Homonhon Island bound for China when it reportedly suffered engine trouble.