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IMO Halts Strait of Hormuz Evacuations After Gulf of Oman Attack

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The International Maritime Organization suspended its evacuation operations in and around the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman, citing the need to reassess safety conditions amid rising regional risks.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the suspension was prompted by the need to "reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place" for both vessels on the evacuation list and others operating in the region.

The decision follows a reported attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Though the targeted ship was not part of the IMO's organized transit framework, the incident prompted officials to pause the evacuation program to re-evaluate safety protocols.

"I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount," Dominguez said in a statement. "Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained."

Earlier this week, the IMO launched the evacuation plan in collaboration with member states and industry stakeholders, successfully moving a portion of the fleet out of the Hormuz.

Dominguez said the evacuation plan would remain on hold until further clarity is obtained on the security situation, stressing the risk to thousands of seafarers still stranded in the Persian Gulf amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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