The International Maritime Organization (IMO) launched an evacuation operation to free around 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz on June 23 and 24 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. This follows months of blockage since Iran effectively closed the strait in February amid conflict, trapping hundreds of vessels and their crews in the Persian Gulf [5, 7].
The evacuation uses two approved routes for hundreds of vessels exiting the Gulf: a northern route passing Iranian waters and a southern route coordinated by Oman and the United States [2, 3, 8, 6]. Oman designated two temporary transit lanes north and south of the main shipping lane to facilitate safe passage, while the US lifted sanctions on Iranian oil exports from June 22 to August 21, boosting tanker traffic through the strait [9, 4, 10].
By June 24, at least two dry bulk ships and one cargo ship had already sailed through the Strait under the evacuation plan, with about 35 additional commercial vessels preparing to follow [2, 3, 8, 6]. IMO confirmed that vessels must wait for instructions before proceeding to avoid crowding the waiting areas, ensuring safety [2].
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said, “We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations” [4]. The operation is conducted in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, other Gulf states, the US, and the maritime industry under a ceasefire framework agreed between the US and Iran on June 14 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7].
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has improved sharply since the ceasefire, with daily transits rising to about 22 ships compared to fewer than 10 before June 15 [9]. On June 23 alone, around 25 vessel passages were recorded, and evacuations continue [9].
The next key deadline is August 21, when the US oil sanctions waiver on Iran expires, potentially affecting the flow of vessels through the Strait.
