IMO Suspends Strait of Hormuz Evacuation Plan after Vessel Attack in Gulf of Oman
Maritime security concerns intensified in the Persian Gulf on Thursday after a Singapore-flagged Evergreen containership was struck by a projectile near the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to temporarily suspend its vessel evacuation operations.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its evacuation operation in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, citing the need to reassess safety conditions before continuing the mission.
The evacuation initiative, launched earlier this week in cooperation with Member States and maritime industry partners, was designed to assist vessels operating in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors. Several ships have already been successfully evacuated under the IMO-led framework.
Announcing the temporary suspension, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the organization is taking additional precautions to ensure that all required safety guarantees remain in place for vessels included in the evacuation program, as well as for ships navigating the wider region.
According to Dominguez, the decision follows reports of an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman after it had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. He clarified that the affected ship was not operating under the IMO’s evacuation framework.
Read: Singapore-Flagged Container Ship Damaged by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz
“The safety of seafarers remains our highest priority,” Dominguez said. “To maintain a coordinated approach and ensure navigational safety, the evacuation plan will remain paused until further clarity is obtained regarding the security situation.”
The announcement comes as the global maritime community marks the Day of the Seafarer, highlighting the critical role played by thousands of maritime professionals working in challenging conditions. Dominguez stressed the importance of ensuring that the continued evacuation of thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf can proceed without exposing them to the risks posed by the ongoing geopolitical conflict.
The temporary halt underscores the growing security concerns affecting International shipping, maritime trade, and commercial vessel operations across the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy and shipping route. The IMO is expected to closely monitor developments before determining when evacuation operations can safely resume.
