IMO Announces Evacuation Plan for 11,000 Seafarers Stranded Near Strait of Hormuz

DUBAI, Jun 23: The UN’s International Maritime Organization has announced a large-scale evacuation plan for around 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the peace deal, saying it had brought an end to attacks on civilian shipping after months of disruption and hardship in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

Dominguez also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict.

The IMO said the evacuation operation is being carried out in close coordination with Iran, Oman, the United States, other coastal states and the maritime industry . The agency added that it had secured the necessary safety guarantees and verified conditions for safe navigation before moving ahead with evacuation efforts.

Oman has also issued a notice to mariners outlining new safe navigation protocols in the region.

The crisis began after US and Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February, after which Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, leaving hundreds of vessels trapped in the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route, particularly for oil and gas exports, and any disruption in the area can have major consequences for international trade and energy markets.