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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its evacuation of over 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was struck by an unknown projectile in the Gulf of Oman. The attack occurred despite the reopening of the waterway following a US-Iran ceasefire agreement.
The IMO announced the evacuation on Tuesday, stating it had secured safety guarantees from Iran, Oman, the US, and other coastal states. However, on Thursday, the operation was halted after the Singapore-flagged vessel Ever Lovely was hit 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman's port of Dahit. No casualties were reported Source: BBC. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the vessel was not part of the evacuation framework, but the pause was necessary to ensure navigational safety Source: CNN.
Despite the pause, ship traffic through the strait has increased. On Wednesday, 70 vessels transited the waterway—the highest number since the war began in February—driven by the ceasefire and the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil Source: CNN. However, experts warn that most vessels are Iranian-flagged or minor carriers; major global shipping lines have not returned Source: CNN.
A point of contention remains Iran's demand for maritime service fees for crossing the strait. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has firmly rejected any tolls, stating, "It's an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway" Source: BBC. Iran's negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has insisted the strait "will never return" to the pre-war status quo Source: Al Jazeera.
“IMO chief Arsenio Dominguez said several boats had already been evacuated, but the agency wanted to ensure that 'necessary safety guarantees' would continue to be in place.”
“Seventy vessels transited the critical waterway on Wednesday, the highest number since the war with Iran began in late February, according to Marine Traffic.”
“US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Tuesday that no country is allowed to impose tolls on the Strait of Hormuz, which he called 'an international waterway'.”
“Tehran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had earlier insisted the Strait of Hormuz 'will never return' to the pre-war status quo, despite the foes agreeing to set up communication lines to keep it open.”
“The Directorate General of Shipping has withdrawn its earlier advisory restricting the movement of Indian ships along the Gulf Region, including the Strait of Hormuz.”
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