The IMO announced the launch of a large-scale operation to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers who remain trapped in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz region, following months of tension and conflict. This decision comes as a result of the recent signing of an agreement between Iran and the USA, a development that the IMO Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, characterized as a decisive step towards restoring safety in navigation and ending the unacceptable attacks against commercial shipping.
Mr. Dominguez, expressing his satisfaction with the peace agreement, emphasized that the evacuation operation will be conducted in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, all coastal states of the region, the United States, and the wider maritime industry. The IMO has already secured the necessary safety guarantees and has verified the conditions for safe navigation to support the operation. At the same time, the IMO Secretary-General paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who tragically lost their lives during the recent conflict, recognizing their contribution to global trade. The planning provides for a phased approach, using alternative sea routes designated for the safe passage of ships, while the Organization’s commitment remains absolute to protecting crews and ensuring the continuity of global trade.
