Massive Evacuation Underway: Thousands of Stranded Seafarers to Exit Persian Gulf

A long-awaited evacuation plan is set to kick off, aiming to safely escort over 11,000 seafarers out of the Persian Gulf through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The International Maritime Organization has confirmed that the necessary safety guarantees are in place, paving the way for a large-scale operation. According to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, the evacuation will be carried out in close cooperation with regional countries, including Iran, Oman, and the United States, as well as the maritime industry. To minimize risks, ships will exit the Gulf in a phased manner, using two temporary maritime corridors. The move comes after Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that has seen significantly reduced ship traffic since the outbreak of war. While ship traffic has started to pick up, with 93 vessels passing through the strait over the weekend of June 19-21, it still remains far below pre-war levels, which saw over 100 vessels crossing daily. The evacuation plan is a welcome development for the thousands of seafarers who have been stranded in the region, and marks a significant step towards restoring normal maritime operations in the area.