IMO: "115 Ships and 2,500 Seafarers Evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz"
IMO announced that 115 ships and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated under its Gulf operation launched amid the United States–Israel–Iran conflict.
Three days ago, IMO suspended its evacuation plan following an attack on a cargo vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters, Dominguez said efforts are continuing to resume the evacuation program for ships and seafarers stranded in the region during the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Dominguez stated that, since the operation began on Tuesday, a total of 115 ships and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the region.
Attack on a Vessel off Oman
IMO launched an evacuation program for ships and more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Gulf after restrictions were imposed on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran on 28 February. The program was suspended yesterday after reports emerged that a cargo vessel had come under attack off the coast of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said yesterday that a vessel had been struck 7.5 nautical miles south of Dahit Port, Oman. Unnamed U.S. officials claimed that Iran had opened fire on the Singapore-flagged cargo vessel Ever Lovely.
Evacuation of Ships Stranded in the Strait
Under the evacuation plan launched by IMO on Tuesday for more than 11,000 seafarers, two routes under U.S. supervision were designated: one through Iranian waters and the other through Omani waters.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced yesterday that safe passage through the Strait would only be permitted via routes designated by Iran and warned that vessels failing to comply with this requirement could face action.
