Arsenio Dominguez is the secretary general of the IMO. Image Credit: IMO

The IMO is preparing to begin the evacuation of more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in and around the Strait of Hormuz after the US and Iran signed a MoU aimed at ending the conflict.

The agreement marks an important step towards restoring maritime security and ending attacks on commercial ships, the IMO said in a press release on Tuesday.

“After months of hardship and distress for thousands of innocent seafarers, and negative impact for the whole world, I welcome with deep satisfaction the peace agreement concluded between the United States and Iran, marking a decisive step towards restoring maritime security and bringing to an end the unacceptable attacks against civilian shipping,” Arsenio Dominguez,  Secretary-General of IMO, said.

He also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict.

The evacuation will be carried out in cooperation with Iran, Oman, other coastal states, the US and the maritime industry.

According to the IMO, safety guarantees have been secured and navigation conditions have been assessed to support the operation.

Additional details emerged in a navigation warning issued by Oman's National Hydrographic Office on Tuesday, which said a temporary maritime corridor had been established for vessels leaving the region.

The warning outlined a phased evacuation plan coordinated by the IMO and Omani authorities, with vessels being assigned specific transit windows and routes.

The notice said the existing traffic separation scheme in the Strait of Hormuz is currently considered unsafe, prompting the use of temporary routes north and south of the normal shipping lane.

Vessel movements may also be suspended at short notice for safety or security reasons, while the IMO is expected to provide daily updates on departures from the region.

Shipping association International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has welcomed the IMO move.

“The IMO evacuation plan is a welcome development to delivering this coordination and restoring freedom of navigation, " the ICS spokesperson said in an email statement on Tuesday.

“It is vital this plan works in harmony, rather than conflicting, with existing mechanisms.

The US and Iran have agreed to a 60-day framework intended to end the conflict, with negotiations during that period expected to address more complex issues, including Iran's nuclear programme.