More than 11,000 seafarers stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz are set to be evacuated in a large-scale coordinated operation led by the International Maritime Organization, following a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.
According to Ship & Bunker, the IMO announced the evacuation plan after Washington and Tehran signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the conflict that has disrupted commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
Peace Agreement Triggers Evacuation Plan
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez welcomed the development, stating in a press release: “After months of hardship and distress for thousands of innocent seafarers, and negative impact for the whole world, I welcome with deep satisfaction the peace agreement concluded between the United States and Iran, marking a decisive step towards restoring maritime security and bringing to an end the unacceptable attacks against civilian shipping.”
Dominguez also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Temporary Corridors and Phased Departures
The evacuation will be carried out in coordination with Iran, Oman, other regional coastal states, the United States, and the maritime industry. According to Ship & Bunker, safety guarantees have been secured and navigation conditions assessed ahead of the operation.
A navigation warning issued by Oman’s National Hydrographic Office outlined additional operational details, including the establishment of a temporary maritime corridor for vessels departing the region. The notice described a phased approach, with vessels assigned specific transit windows and routes.
The warning also noted that the existing traffic separation scheme in the Strait of Hormuz is currently considered unsafe, leading to the use of temporary routes north and south of the standard shipping lane. Vessel movements may be suspended at short notice for safety or security reasons, and the IMO is expected to issue daily updates on departures from the region, as reported by Ship & Bunker.
Industry Response
The International Chamber of Shipping welcomed the plan. An ICS spokesperson stated in an email: “The IMO evacuation plan is a welcome development to delivering this coordination and restoring freedom of navigation. It is vital this plan works in harmony, rather than conflicting, with existing mechanisms.”
The US and Iran have agreed to a 60-day framework intended to end the conflict, with negotiations during that period expected to address broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, according to Ship & Bunker.
Does This Matter to You?
The Strait of Hormuz handles a significant portion of global energy and commodity flows, and the disruption to commercial shipping has had broad repercussions across the maritime supply chain. The announcement of a structured evacuation operation, temporary routing corridors, and phased transit windows carries immediate operational significance for anyone with vessels in or near the region. The suspension of the standard traffic separation scheme and potential for short-notice movement restrictions means route planning and scheduling remain complex, even as the situation begins to stabilise. The 60-day negotiation framework also introduces ongoing uncertainty about the longer-term operating environment in the Gulf region.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
