115 vessels, 2,500 seafarers evacuated from Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday: UN maritime head
The UN maritime agency said the rescue effort is being paused while it seeks new safety assurances after an attack on a vessel.
- On Thursday, the International Maritime Organization paused evacuations in the Strait of Hormuz after the container ship Ever Lovely was attacked while transiting near Oman's coast. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the suspension on Friday, noting the vessel was not participating in the agency's operation.
- Since the US-Iran war erupted in late February, 11,000 mariners have been stranded aboard 600 vessels, prompting the evacuation mission. Mines currently block the traditional 1968 Traffic Separation Scheme, forcing ships into two temporary corridors—one administered by Iran and another supported by Oman and the United States.
- Before the pause, 115 vessels carrying roughly 2,500 crew members safely exited the Gulf over three and a half days. Dominguez emphasized the humanitarian toll, stating that at least 14 seafarers have been killed and more than 40 commercial vessels attacked during the conflict.
- Thursday's attack exposed unresolved questions about who ultimately controls navigation through the narrow channel, despite a peace agreement between Washington and Tehran ending hostilities. The IMO is now negotiating with Iran, Oman, and the United States to secure renewed safety guarantees before resuming evacuations.
- Under the memorandum of understanding signed last week, Tehran committed to clearing naval mines within 30 days. Until then, the IMO faces the complex task of maintaining a functioning maritime corridor while navigating fragile diplomacy surrounding one of the world's most strategically vital waterways.
34 Articles
34 Articles
UN Shipping Agency Halts Hormuz Evacuation After Iranian Drone Strikes Merchant Vessel
The International Maritime Organization has suspended its effort to evacuate stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz following a drone attack on a merchant ship off the coast of Oman. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the evacuation plan will remain on hold until the agency can confirm safety guarantees for ships on the evacuation list and in the broader region. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a se…
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115 Vessels, 2,500 Seafarers Evacuated from Strait of Hormuz Since Tuesday, Says UN Maritime Head
A total of about 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, the head of the UN maritime body said Friday. International Maritime Organization secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez gave the update after the IMO on Thursday suspended its efforts to evacuate some 600 ships and 11,000 sailors, following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
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