IMO Prepares Evacuation Amid Hormuz Shipping Disruption

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is preparing emergency plans to evacuate nearly 20,000 seafarers and around 2,000 vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.

The situation has significantly slowed movement through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, which handles close to 20% of global oil flows as well as a substantial share of liquefied natural gas shipments.

According to IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, any evacuation will need to be carried out in phases due to the complexity of the operation. The Strait of Hormuz is approximately 30 kilometres wide, and ongoing security risks, combined with heavy vessel congestion, are limiting safe movement through the area.

Navigation in the region has also become increasingly challenging due to GPS interference, including jamming and spoofing, while the risk of further military activity remains.

Many shipping companies have paused transits through the strait, leaving vessels positioned on either side of the waterway. At the same time, war-risk insurance premiums have increased sharply, adding further pressure on shipping operations.

At a special council meeting in London, the IMO condemned attacks on commercial vessels and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation under international law. The organisation called for immediate measures to ensure the safety of ships and crews operating in the region.

The council also urged countries to ensure that vessels stranded in the area continue to receive essential supplies, including food, fuel, and water, and that crew changes can take place where possible. Maintaining communication between seafarers and their families was also highlighted as a priority.

Discussions are ongoing around the establishment of temporary safe corridors to allow vessels to exit the region. These plans are being coordinated with countries in the area, including Iran, with safety remaining the primary concern.

The disruption is already having broader implications for global trade. Oil prices have risen, LNG shipments are facing delays, and freight rates are increasing as capacity tightens.

If conditions persist, further pressure on global supply chains is expected.

By: Marine Insight