What is the purpose and current status of the IMO's new evacuation scheme for ships in the Strait of Hormuz?

The IMO's new evacuation scheme aims to enable hundreds of stranded ships — carrying some 11,000 seafarers — to safely sail through the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict-related navigational risks; according to an IMO spokesperson, 'Ships have already begun to pass under the plan,' with at least two dry bulk ships and one cargo ship having transited in the past 12 hours, and three tankers carrying 5 million barrels of crude oil also exiting the strait, though it was not confirmed whether those sailed under the IMO scheme.

How does the IMO's temporary traffic arrangement work, and what are its key operational constraints?

Under the scheme, vessels use two temporary tracks — a northern route via Iranian waters and a southern route via 'the Sultanate of Oman/United States-coordinated waters' — because the central section of the strait, governed by the 1968 Traffic Separation Scheme, is currently unusable due to mine risk; the IMO explicitly warns that 'Vessels should wait for instructions before proceeding' and cautions that 'Crowding the waiting area will only result in the need to pause further notifications for the safety of navigation.'

Ships Start Sailing Through Hormuz Under UN Evacuation Scheme, Agency Says

Jun 24, 2026

The International Maritime Organization launched a scheme allowing hundreds of ships, including oil tankers, to evacuate the Strait of Hormuz following a ceasefire framework. Although energy shipments have increased, daily sailings remain significantly lower than pre-conflict averages.

reuters

2026-06-23

IMO to Begin Evacuation of Stranded Seafarers Following US-Iran Peace Deal

2026-06-24

Ships Start Sailing Through Hormuz Under UN Evacuation Scheme, Agency Says

2026-06-26

Energy Insider: IMO Suspends Ship Evacuation in Strait of Hormuz; New Energy System '15th Five-Year' Plan Released

2026-07-15

UN Maritime Chief Warns Strait of Hormuz Unsafe for Commercial Vessels

Ships Start Sailing Through Hormuz Under UN Evacuation Scheme, Agency Says

FAQ