IMO pauses evacuation in Strait of Hormuz following attack

Following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman, IMO has decided to temporarily pause its evacuation operation pending further clarity.

IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez yesterday stated: "Following the launch of the IMO’s evacuation plan, through which several vessels have already been successfully evacuated, I have decided to temporarily pause its implementation in order to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for the ships on our evacuation list and all those in the region.

“I have been informed of an attack today in the Gulf of Oman on a vessel which passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This vessel did not transit under IMO’s evacuation framework. I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount. Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained. 

“Today marks the Day of the Seafarer, underlining the importance of ensuring that the continued evacuation of the thousands of seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf can proceed without the risk of them becoming collateral victims in this geopolitical conflict."

BIMCO's Chief Safety & Security Officer, Jakob Larsen, offered the following comment on the attack:

“BIMCO is deeply concerned with the recent attack on a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz using the inshore traffic zone off Oman.

“Unfortunately, the attack is a set-back in the plans to evacuate ships and resume transits through the Strait of Hormuz, although some transits can still be expected to take place.

“The situation underscores the importance of clear and unambiguous agreements between the US and Iran regarding a resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait. The wording of the US-Iran MoU is currently not sufficiently clear.

“BIMCO encourages shipowners to take the recent developments into consideration when assessing risks associated with transiting the Strait.

“BIMCO and other industry associations have developed generally applicable Best Management Practises for Maritime Security and scenario specific guidelines which shipowners are strongly encouraged to consider, available at www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org  “