The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced plans to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz region following the peace agreement between Iran and the United States.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the operation will be carried out in cooperation with Iran, Oman, other coastal states, the United States and the maritime industry.
“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,” Dominguez said.
He also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict.
According to the IMO, the evacuation plan will begin immediately after securing the necessary safety guarantees and verifying safe navigation conditions in the region.
The organisation said the large-scale operation aims to ensure the safe return of stranded crews while supporting the restoration of maritime security and global trade flows.
“We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of seafarers and the continuity of global trade,” Dominguez added.
The announcement follows the signing of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding, which is expected to lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the gradual normalisation of shipping operations in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.
