Hormuz uncertainty returns as IMO seeks guarantees for seafarer evacuation resumption

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez told the organisation’s Council on 8 July that 136 vessels carrying about 2,900 seafarers had successfully departed the region under an established evacuation framework.

However, the process has now been paused after the latest attacks renewed concerns over the safety of vessels and their crews. As a result, around 6,000 seafarers remain stranded in the region.

Notably, US President Donald Trump said the interim ceasefire was "over", but added that talks with Iran could continue during remarks at a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit.

"I am still seeking guarantees that vessels can evacuate the Strait of Hormuz using either of the alternative routes provided without the risk of threats of attack," Mr Dominguez said.

"I remain hopeful that the evacuation plan can be resumed, and the Secretariat continues to work with all parties concerned towards that end, so the thousands of affected seafarers can return to safety and normal trading conditions can begin to be restored in the area," he added.

Mr Dominguez also highlighted the continued high cost of marine insurance in the region, "which is itself compounding the strain on shipowners and operators."

He urged governments to engage with insurers to ensure premiums reflect current realities rather than continuing to reflect the peak of the crisis.

Rerouteing and uncertainty return

Meanwhile, uncertainty has once again gripped the shipping industry as the US and Iran resumed military reprisals following a series of attacks on commercial vessels.

ICIS senior LNG analyst Alex Froley told Riviera that, following the attack on LNG carrier Al Rekayyat, some other LNG vessels halted their transits.

"In mid-June, after the peace deal, there were hopes that Qatar could return to normal export levels within weeks. However, following the recent deterioration in conditions, this is now once again being called into question," he said.

Data from Windward and Vortexa as of 7 July showed that six vessels, including LPG carriers, chemical tankers, bulk carriers, and vehicle carriers shifted from the southern corridor to the central corridor.

Reuters reported that at least four oil and gas tankers turned back after attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, citing ship-tracking data. The news agency also reported that the queue of ballast vessels waiting to load at Ras Laffan had grown to more than 10 ships in early July, citing Vortexa.

MarineTraffic recorded 41 confirmed transits on 7 July, up from 36 the previous day.

Traffic also shifted away from the Iranian route, which recorded 11 crossings after spiking the previous day. The IMO route accounted for 15 crossings, while dark or unknown movements increased to 13. The Omani route recorded just two crossings, extending its recent decline.

"The route mix points to a fragmented operating picture: some operators appear to be rotating back toward IMO routeing, but the high share of dark/unknown passages and weak Omani-route uptake show confidence remains uneven," MarineTraffic said.