On Tuesday 23 June 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced a plan to implement an evacuation of over 11,000 seafarers on vessels still stranded in the Persian Gulf region. BIMCO supports and commends the evacuation plan.
The exit plan announced by the IMO draws on existing routes already advertised as available for use. If all outbound ships follow the IMO’s plan, it reduces the risk of congestion and navigational incidents in connection with exiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The plan does not infringe on the shipmaster’s overriding authority regarding the safety and security of the ship, crew, and cargo. Already existing national maritime security reporting centres trusted by the industry are assisting the IMO with efforts to reach out to ships.
BIMCO supports the IMO’s plan and encourages all ships to comply with suggestions from the IMO and its partners. In the coming days, the plan will need to be complemented with measures to allow for the free flow of traffic back into the Persian Gulf. There is a lot of transport work to be done to make up for the time lost since the outbreak of hostilities.
For more information about the evacuation plan, visit the IMO website:
