More than 11,000 seafarers have been stranded in the Persian Gulf since tensions in the region effectively sealed one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. On June 23, 2026, the International Maritime Organization announced it would finally start moving them out.
The IMO’s evacuation plan involves coordinated safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran, Oman, and the United States all playing a role.
What the evacuation actually looks like
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez confirmed the operation will use established Traffic Separation Schemes, the maritime equivalent of designated highway lanes, to guide vessels through safely during phased transits.
Oman is issuing a Notice to Mariners that lays out the specific phases of the operation.
