Published on: 2026-06-24
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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24 June 2026 World and Security
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has published new details of its plan to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers who have been trapped in the area of the Strait of Hormuz.
These efforts are directly related to ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States on ending the conflict, which are being conducted in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries last week. If the plan is successfully implemented, the number of ships passing through the strait will return to the pre-war level, which was about 130 ships per day — compared to 20–30 in recent days.
In a conversation with the UN News Service, an IMO representative stated that the agency is already coordinating with courts through local staff to start the operation. It is planned that between 500 and 600 commercial vessels will participate in it.
The UN agency has received necessary security guarantees and has verified the conditions for the safe exit from the strait, the stoppage of ship movements in which caused a global energy shock with long-term consequences, especially for developing countries.
In today’s operational communique, sent to shipping companies and captains, the agency designated two temporary maritime corridors to be used for the passage of ships through the straits. These routes differ from those used by ships prior to the freezing of navigation and include the “northern route” (along the coast of Iran) and the “southern” one, passing through the waters of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
“Iran and Oman are not responsible for ensuring navigational safety in their territorial waters,” emphasized the IMO, adding that vessels may be stopped at any time for safety reasons or to prevent collisions with naval forces.
Danger of sea mines and other risks
To ensure the safe passage of vessels and reduce risks associated with mines and poor navigation conditions, IMO recommends that captains wait for the signal and strictly follow the instructions of coastal authorities. Each vessel will be assigned a specific passage day.
Since the beginning of the bombings of Iran by Israel and the USA on February 28 in the Strait of Hormuz, 14 sailors have died, and the maritime route itself has been seriously disrupted.
“After months of the most severe trials for thousands of seafarers and negative consequences for the entire world, I warmly welcome the peace agreement between the USA and Iran. This is a decisive step towards restoring security at sea and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian vessels,” said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domingues.
Eyewitness testimony
For third assistant Captain Clarisse Bangi, the daily psychological pressure associated with being on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz has become an exhausting ordeal.
“Besides the stress from the work itself, we also experience stress because of everything happening around us,” he says. “We don’t know when the war will end. We don’t know when our ship will be able to safely pass through the strait.”
Compliance with safety protocols is an important part of preparing to sail through a high-risk zone. “We have corporate procedures and clear rules… As the third officer, I am responsible for the preparation and conduct of drills so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. If you know your duties well, everything will go smoothly,” Bangi explains.
A specialist from the Philippines was evacuated from their vessel at the beginning of the month – even before the official announcement of the IMO plan.
“I don’t think anyone can truly understand what it means to be in a combat zone if they themselves haven’t been there,” he says. “Every day—missile strikes, drone attacks, alarm signals, and urgent notifications on the phone. You really don’t know what will happen in the next minute.”
According to her, the best thing that can be done now for those who are still on the ship in the strait is to give them confidence and support: “Helping the crew means reducing their stress, be it economic pressure, operational difficulties, or something else.”
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