**Ships Start Sailing Through Hormuz Under UN Evacuation Scheme**
In a significant development, ships have commenced passage through the Strait of Hormuz under a new evacuation scheme initiated by the United Nations’ shipping agency. This initiative aims to assist vessels that have been trapped in the region due to ongoing conflicts. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed the commencement of this operation on Wednesday.
The evacuation plan, which took months to finalize, is designed to facilitate the movement of hundreds of ships and approximately 11,000 seafarers who have been stranded in the Gulf. According to the IMO, the first vessels have already begun to navigate through the strait, although specific details regarding the ships involved have not been disclosed.
Recent ship tracking data from LSEG indicates that at least two dry bulk ships and one cargo ship successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz within the last 12 hours. Additionally, three tankers carrying a total of 5 million barrels of crude oil have also exited the strait, with two of them reportedly heading toward Asia. However, it remains unclear whether these tankers were part of the IMO's evacuation scheme.
The evacuation plan allows vessels to utilize two designated temporary routes for their passage: a northern route that traverses Iranian waters and a southern route that passes through waters coordinated by the Sultanate of Oman and the United States. The IMO has advised vessels to await instructions before proceeding, emphasizing that overcrowding in waiting areas could lead to delays and safety concerns.
The Traffic Separation Scheme, which was established by the IMO in 1968, outlines routing lanes through Iranian and Omani waters in the strait. However, the central section of this route is currently deemed unsafe due to the risk of mines, according to maritime security sources.
In recent days, maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has seen an uptick, with an average of over 25 ships navigating the waters daily, compared to approximately 10 to 11 vessels before the recent conflicts escalated. While this increase is notable, it remains significantly lower than the average of 125 ships that sailed through the strait prior to the onset of hostilities on February 28.
The IMO has noted that there are between 500 and 600 ships currently stranded in the Gulf, including around 100 tankers. In response to the situation, the U.S. military has initiated a mission to assist in the safe passage of ships through the strait. However, the IMO's evacuation framework does not accommodate vessels seeking to enter the Gulf for the purpose of loading oil cargoes from local producers.
Concerns regarding navigational safety and the potential for collisions have prompted the development of the IMO framework. A statement from British maritime risk management group Vanguard highlighted the importance of independent voyage risk assessments by shipowners and masters prior to participation in the scheme. The organization also cautioned that vessel movements could be suspended at any time for safety, security, or naval deconfliction reasons.
As the situation evolves, oil tanker rates have surged recently due to a tightening of ship availability and heightened safety concerns, particularly regarding the threat posed by floating mines in the region. The ongoing developments in the Strait of Hormuz will be closely monitored as the IMO's evacuation scheme continues to unfold, providing a critical lifeline for the stranded vessels and their crews.