The United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) has suspended the planned evacuation of vessels and more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after an Evergreen containership was attacked.
The Singapore-flagged Ever Lovely had been following a recommended route through the strait when it was struck, said Evergreen, confirming that all crew members, the vessel, and all cargo were safe. The ship’s owner reported limited damage and that the Ever Lovely had now safely transited the strait.
The evacuation effort by the IMO was announced earlier this week following the reopening of the strait, with IMO leader Arsenio Dominguez confirming that the “large-scale operation” had the cooperation of Iran, Oman, the United States, as well as other states in the region and the maritime industry. “I have always reiterated that 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,” said Dominguez. Hundreds of ships and thousands of sailors have been stranded in the Gulf since February.
The latest regional update from Move One can be reviewed here.
IAM Member Impact: IAM repeats the advice from members in the region to maintain contingency routings and the transit times quoted throughout the conflict.
Source: BBC
Member Contributions: Move One