Arabic version: الأمم المتحدة توقف إجلاء السفن في هرمز بعد هجوم على سفينة

According to Al Jazeera,

The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its Strait of Hormuz evacuation initiative after a vessel was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. A cargo ship reported a suspected attack as it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz close to the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The cargo ship reported being struck on its starboard side by a projectile approximately 14 kilometers (7.5 nautical miles) southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit. Another maritime security source indicated that the vessel was likely targeted by a drone, although it was not clear yet who carried out the strike. This development prompted the IMO to reconsider the safety of its evacuation plan.

On Tuesday, the IMO had initiated the evacuation of 600 ships and around 11,000 mariners stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the US-Israeli war on Iran. The evacuation was intended to facilitate the safe passage of vessels through two designated routes, one involving Iranian waters and the other under US oversight in Omani waters. However, following the recent attack, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced the temporary pause of the evacuation plan to ensure that safety guarantees for the ships in the region are reaffirmed.

The attacked vessel was identified as the Singapore-flagged container ship, Ever Lovely. The ship was not operating under the IMO evacuation framework. The incident raised alarms as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had issued warnings earlier in the day, instructing vessels to avoid the strait without Tehran’s permission. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), established by Iran, stated that any transit outside designated routes would not be guaranteed safe passage and would result in the vessel owner and operator bearing responsibility for any consequences.

The evacuation efforts were initiated against the backdrop of a recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran aimed at de-escalating the conflict. As of now, maritime traffic remains cautious, with significantly fewer crossings reported compared to pre-war levels. Oman’s Defence Ministry has indicated that the evacuation will be conducted in phases, considering the heightened risk of collisions in the current environment. Denmark has also announced its participation in an international maritime mission led by France and the UK to help ensure safe navigation in the region.