Khaberni - The International Maritime Organization, a United Nations agency, said today, Tuesday, that an evacuation plan for hundreds of ships carrying 11,000 stranded sailors in the Strait of Hormuz is currently underway to assist them in crossing, following an agreement to cease fire between Iran and the United States.
A spokesperson for the organization announced the start of coordination with the ships in preparation for the evacuation process, without specifying a time frame. The organization also stated that it has obtained the necessary security assurances and has thoroughly verified the availability of safe navigation conditions.
The Secretary-General of the organization, Arsine Dominguez, stated: "This large-scale operation will be implemented in close cooperation with Iran, Oman, and all other coastal states in the region, the United States, and the maritime transport sector."
The International Maritime Organization's announcement included instructions from Oman on how ships should pass through the strait, which is a narrow waterway leading to the Arabian Gulf, through which one fifth of the world's oil and natural gas trade passed before the war.
Two Temporary Routes
In a separate statement, the Omani Ministry of Defense said that the evacuation would take place in stages according to the international organization’s plan discussed over months. It added that considering the increased risk of collision under the current conditions, it is necessary to evacuate the ships gradually and in an organized manner.
The ministry mentioned that what is known as the "traffic separation scheme" is currently unsafe for use, and indicated the possibility of using two temporary routes north and south of the scheme.
According to the movement plan, each ship will be contacted individually and informed about the day of its crossing as determined by the agencies coordinating with the International Maritime Organization.
In the meantime, navigational data monitored by the Open Source Unit of the Al Jazeera network revealed continued movement across the strait since the announcement of the American-Iranian agreement, with a notable increase compared to the week prior to the announcement.
According to the monitoring, 20 ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the morning of June 23, raising the total number of ships passing since the closure announcement on June 20 to 70.
The scheme, adopted by the International Maritime Organization in 1968, established navigational corridors through Iranian and Omani waters in the Strait.
Floating mines are among the main hazards threatening navigation in the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
