The International Maritime Organization is preparing an evacuation plan for
hundreds of ships stranded in the Persian Gulf following US and Israeli strikes
on Iran over seven weeks ago, Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said at
Singapore Maritime Week. The plan would only be activated if de-escalation is
evident and includes a phased departure order based on crew stranding time and
other factors. Transits would follow the IMO’s 1968 Traffic Separation Scheme
proposed by Iran and Oman. Iran has also developed a coastal routing system in
recent weeks. The IMO is coordinating with littoral and flag states to finalize
the plan.
