Hormuz Evacuation Halts After Ship Attack; Iran Warns on Approved Routes

Top Summary

• What happened: The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) temporarily paused its Strait of Hormuz evacuation plan after a cargo ship was attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
• Why it matters: This incident threatens regional stability and jeopardizes the safety of international shipping, raising concerns amid Iran's new warnings on transit routes.
• What changes: The organised movement of approximately 600 ships and 11,000 mariners out of the Gulf is currently on hold, requiring all vessels to adhere strictly to designated routes.
• Who is affected: Stranded commercial and energy vessels, their crews, global supply chains, and nations dependent on safe passage through the vital Strait of Hormuz are directly impacted.

IMO Pauses Evacuation Initiative

The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) has paused its initiative to evacuate vessels from the Strait of Hormuz. This decision follows a reported attack on a ship in the Gulf of Oman.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the plan's implementation would be temporarily paused. This is to reconfirm that the necessary safety guarantees continue to be in place for ships on the evacuation list and all vessels in the region.

The agency had previously secured safety guarantees and verified conditions for safe navigation before the plan commenced. However, the suspension was enacted after the attack on a vessel that had recently passed through the strait.

Details of the Attack and Iran's Warning

A cargo ship reported a suspected attack on Thursday as it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred close to the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The vessel, identified as the Singapore-flagged container ship, Ever Lovely, reported being struck on its starboard side by a projectile. The attack took place 14km (7.5 nautical miles) southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit.

A maritime security source informed Reuters that the vessel was likely targeted by a drone, though the perpetrator remains unclear. It is important to note that the Ever Lovely was not operating under the IMO evacuation framework.

Hours before the attack report, Iran warned vessels to stop using the route through the strait without Tehran’s permission. Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had ordered two Panama-flagged ships to change course.

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an Iranian body established to manage the Strait of Hormuz, stated that transit outside its designated routes "will not be covered by the guarantee of safe passage."

"Consequences arising from passage through unauthorised routes shall be the responsibility of the owner, operator, and vessel commander," the PGSA added on X.

Context of the Evacuation Effort

The IMO’s evacuation effort, which began on Tuesday, aimed to move 600 ships and around 11,000 mariners. These vessels had been stranded due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israeli war on Iran, which commenced on February 28.

The evacuation plan offered two routes: one through Iranian waters and another via Omani waters with US oversight. The broader effort is part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed last week between the United States and Iran to work towards ending the conflict.

MarineTraffic, a ship tracking firm, confirmed 70 verified crossings on Wednesday and 31 on Tuesday by commercial and energy-laden vessels. Operators are still "moving cautiously rather than returning to fully normal traffic patterns." This contrasts sharply with pre-war levels of around 120 vessels per day.

Oman’s Defence Ministry had warned that the current environment creates an elevated collision risk, necessitating gradual and controlled movement of ships during the phased evacuation. Denmark has also announced its intention to join an international maritime mission led by France and the UK to help reopen the vital waterway.

What to Watch Next

The focus will now be on the IMO's reconfirmation of safety guarantees and any subsequent announcement regarding the resumption of the evacuation plan. Further developments depend heavily on de-escalation efforts and adherence to newly imposed transit guidelines by regional authorities.