A total of about 115 vessels and 2,500 seafarers have been evacuated from the Strait of Hormuz since Tuesday, the head of the UN maritime body said Friday. International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez provided the update after the IMO suspended its evacuation efforts following an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
Evacuation Efforts Paused
Dominguez told an online press conference that 115 vessels have been evacuated in the last three and a half days, representing around 2,500 seafarers who have safely left the Strait of Hormuz since the UN began its safe-passage program on Tuesday. He said the decision to pause evacuations was made after consultations with regional countries due to the ongoing US-Iran war.
Alternative Passages Used
Despite the pause, vessels continued to use a non-Iranian-approved passage, as indicated by tracking platforms. The formal evacuation of crews is being carried out via two routes—one close to the Omani coast and the other near the Iranian coast. These routes differ from the traditional passage established by the IMO in 1968, which is currently obstructed by mines.
Mine Clearance Commitment
In the memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the United States last week aimed at ending the war, Tehran committed to clearing the mines from the area within 30 days. This commitment is crucial for restoring the traditional traffic route and ensuring safer passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
