Khaberni - A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization said on Wednesday that ships have indeed passed through the Strait of Hormuz as part of a new ship departure plan launched by the organization.
The United Nations-affiliated organization mentioned on Tuesday that the plan, which took several months to approve, will allow hundreds of ships to sail through the strait after they were stranded in the Gulf, carrying about 11,000 sailors.
The spokesperson said today, "The ships have already begun to cross under the plan," and refrained from providing any details about the ships that crossed the strait.
Ship tracking data from the London Stock Exchange Group today shows that at least two dry bulk cargo ships and one cargo ship have crossed the Strait of Hormuz under the plan in the past 12 hours.
Data from the London Stock Exchange Group and Marine Traffic, based on a Reuters analysis of ship movements, indicate that at least 35 other commercial vessels, mostly dry bulk cargo ships, cargo ships, and containers, are preparing to sail through the strait.
An analysis of the waiting ships revealed that these vessels include smaller commercial vessels, among them five small oil tankers, coastal navigation ships, and tugs.
Under the plan, the ships will be able to use two sailing routes, a northern one passing through Iranian waters, and a southern one "through the waters coordinated between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States".
The organization stated in a memo about the plan issued today, "Ships should await instructions before proceeding."
It added, "The congestion of the waiting area will only lead to the suspension of more notifications; to maintain navigation safety."
The International Maritime Organization announced that the plan is ready for implementation after the United States and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement.
The U.S. military has launched a mission in recent weeks to assist ships in leaving the strait.
