IMO Halts Gulf Evacuation Plan After Fresh Strait of Hormuz Attacks

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated sharply after two commercial vessels were attacked within 24 hours, prompting the International Maritime Organisation to suspend its planned evacuation of ships and seafarers from the Gulf.

The IMO had finalised preparations for a large-scale operation to move numerous vessels out of the region. However, those plans were paused after the Evergreen containership MV Ever Lonely was struck by a suspected missile on Friday while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Early on Saturday, the Panama-flagged oil tanker MV Kiku, carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil, was also reportedly hit by a drone while travelling through the same strategic waterway. No injuries or casualties were reported in either incident, and both vessels sustained damage but were able to continue their journeys.

The attacks have triggered renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran around the Gulf, raising serious doubts over the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed by both parties.

According to the US, the strike on Ever Lonely followed a warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that vessels using unauthorised routes would face “unacceptable and completely dangerous” consequences. The IRGC said ships should coordinate passage with Iran.

IMO secretary-general Arsenio Dominguez said Ever Lonely “did not transit under IMO’s evacuation framework”. The evacuation plan remains suspended, with reports suggesting more than 500 vessels and 11,000 crew still remain trapped in the Gulf since the conflict began.
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