The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily suspended its evacuation operation for vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf after a ship was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, raising fresh concerns over the safety of ships navigating the region.
The evacuation programme, launched earlier this week in coordination with member states and industry partners, has already enabled several vessels to leave the area. However, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the operation would remain on hold while the organisation reassesses whether sufficient safety guarantees remain in place.
According to Dominguez, the vessel involved in Thursday’s attack had transited the Strait of Hormuz but was not part of the IMO’s evacuation framework.
“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,” he said.
The decision comes as thousands of seafarers remain aboard vessels unable to leave the Persian Gulf amid heightened regional tensions. Dominguez said the pause is intended to ensure any further evacuations can proceed without exposing crews to additional risk.
