A United Nations agency has been forced to pause the evacuation of more than 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after a Singapore-flagged cargo ship was struck by an ‘unknown projectile’ off the coast of Oman, shattering the fragile peace that had just opened a route for trapped vessels.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the evacuation plan only on Tuesday, following the reopening of the strait after months of war between the US, Israel and Iran. But on Thursday, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported that the Ever Lovely had been hit 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Oman’s port of Dahit. No casualties were reported, and maritime risk firm Vanguard said the ship continued through the strait without requiring assistance.
“UN pauses evacuation of over 11,000 sailors after cargo ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz.”
“I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount,” said IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez. “Therefore, to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.” Dominguez stressed that the Ever Lovely was not transiting under the IMO’s evacuation framework.
Hours before the attack, Iran’s newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) warned vessels against using the route without Tehran’s permission. In a post on X, the PGSA declared: “Any consequences arising from the use of unauthorised routes shall be the responsibility of the vessel’s owner, operator and master.” US officials, citing media reports, said Iran had fired on the ship.
The strike comes just days after the US and Iran agreed to a 14-point deal to end hostilities, which included a clause for Iran to use its “best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days”. Despite that, Tehran has repeatedly insisted it will impose what it calls maritime service fees for crossing the strait – a plan fiercely opposed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“If that stops, then we’re going to have a problem,” Rubio said on Thursday before news of the attack broke, as he visited the Gulf to reassure allies. He later warned that no country is allowed to impose tolls on what he called “an international waterway”.
Hundreds of ships have been stranded in the Gulf since February because of the US-Israel war against Iran. The IMO’s evacuation effort, which had the cooperation of Iran, Oman, the US and other coastal states, had raised hopes of easing pressure on the world economy. Oil briefly dipped below $73 per barrel on Thursday, its last prewar price, signaling that markets believed the situation was improving.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s president said three more South Korean-operated vessels were expected to leave the strait this weekend, after eight had already exited and five remained. But with the evacuation now paused, the fate of those still trapped hangs in the balance.