The International Maritime Organization (IMO) will begin a large-scale evacuation of more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf following last week’s US-Iran peace agreement. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the operation on Tuesday, saying it would be conducted in cooperation with Iran, Oman, other regional 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, describing it as a decisive step towards restoring maritime security and ending attacks on civilian shipping.
He also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers killed during the conflict. The evacuation plan was first developed in March as attacks on commercial vessels, mine threats and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz left thousands of ships trapped inside the Gulf.
At the height of the crisis, the IMO estimated that around 20,000 seafarers aboard 3,200 vessels were unable to leave safely. Oman will provide a temporary maritime corridor for the evacuation effort, working with the IMO to establish transit routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Muscat said navigation through the waterway should remain free of transit fees, as the shipping industry seeks clarity on the future management of the strait following last week’s US-Iran memorandum of understanding. A navigation warning issued by Oman’s National Hydrographic Office revealed the IMO has adopted a phased departure system, with vessels leaving in designated groups coordinated by Omani authorities.
The measure is intended to ensure a gradual and controlled evacuation amid continuing security concerns. The warning states that the existing Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is currently unsafe for use. Instead, ships will be directed through one of two temporary routes across the Strait of Hormuz, one south of the TSS and another to the north.
The southern corridor will operate under Omani coordination with the IMO, while the northern route reflects Iran’s growing role in managing vessel traffic through the strait.