The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has evacuated at least 115 vessels and approximately 2,500 seafarers from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, according to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez. Speaking on Friday, Dominguez confirmed the successful evacuation but cautioned that the figures are not final, as he still needs time to verify any transits that occurred on Friday morning.
Evacuation Efforts Continue Despite Pause
Dominguez stated that efforts are ongoing to restart the evacuation of stranded seafarers after operations were paused on Thursday following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. He emphasized that as soon as he receives further confirmation that vessels will not be targeted and that trade flow will continue, he is ready to reinitiate the evacuation process.
Iran sent messages warning that using an “unauthorized corridor” would result in “legal sanctions,” though Dominguez said he did not know the specifics of those sanctions.
Attack Prompts Pause in Evacuation Plan
On Thursday, the IMO announced it had paused its evacuation plan for stranded seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Dominguez posted on X: “I have been informed of an attack today in the Gulf of Oman. Seafarer safety remains paramount. To ensure coordinated approach & navigational safety, the IMO evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity.”
The decision came hours after the IMO and Oman announced an evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the region amid heightened tensions and maritime security concerns. Earlier Thursday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported that a cargo vessel was hit by an unknown projectile off Oman, causing damage to the ship’s bridge. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.
