UN Announces Evacuation of Over 11,000 Seafarers Stranded in Strait of Hormuz

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced plans to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers who became stranded in the Strait of Hormuz during the recent US-Iran conflict.

According to a report by US-based news outlet Axios on Tuesday (June 23), IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that 14 seafarers lost their lives during the conflict. He outlined plans for a large-scale evacuation and relocation operation being coordinated with the support of the United States, Iran, Oman, and other relevant parties.

Dominguez said the operation highlights the significant disruption the conflict caused to maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping routes, leaving thousands of civilian sailors stranded for an extended period.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked whether Washington could guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, particularly amid concerns that Iran was collecting tolls from oil tankers.

In response, Rubio stated that the Strait is an international waterway and that no country has the right to impose tolls or fees on vessels transiting through it.

According to IMO estimates, around 600 ships remain in the region.

In a statement, Dominguez said the United Nations has received the necessary security assurances and has thoroughly assessed conditions required for safe maritime navigation.

“I welcome with deep satisfaction the peace agreement reached between the United States and Iran after months of hardship for thousands of innocent seafarers and significant global repercussions,” he said. “This represents an important step toward restoring maritime security and ending unacceptable attacks on civilian vessels.”

Maritime expert Captain Kees Bakens said oil tankers have already begun returning to the Strait of Hormuz to resume loading and transportation operations.

He noted that official guidance issued by the Omani government indicates a well-organized plan has been put in place to ensure vessels can transit the waterway safely.

Bakens added that any potential toll collection is unlikely to pose a major obstacle to evacuation and shipping operations. However, he cautioned that the presence of remaining naval mines in the strait remains a concern. Despite this, he said Oman’s security guarantees are expected to boost confidence among seafarers that they can navigate the route safely by following designated transit corridors.