June 24 (UPI) — The United Nations’ maritime organization said it will begin evacuating thousands of sailors who have been stranded for months by the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Some 11,000 sailors have been stranded aboard their vessels near the Strait of Hormuz since the United States launched its war against Iran on Feb. 28, but their situation appears to be nearing an end as the International Maritime Organization announced Tuesday that it would implement a large-scale evacuation plan.

“We have secured the necessary safety guarantees and have thoroughly verified the conditions for safe navigation to support these operations,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said in a statement.

“We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of seafarers and the continuity of global trade.”

Specifics were not entirely clear, but Dominguez said the plan involves Iran, Oman, the United States and other coastal nations.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime energy shipping route, has been a focus amid the war.

After the United States and Israel launched their initial attacks, Iran effectively closed the strait to maritime traffic, causing gas prices to climb and deepening the energy crisis some countries are facing.

The United States retaliated by imposing a maritime blockade on Iran’s ports, cutting it off from sea-based trade.

The announcement follows the United States and Iran signing an Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, committing them to working toward ending the war.

“After months of hardship and distress for thousands of innocent seafarers and negative impact of the whole world, I welcome with deep satisfaction the peace agreement concluded between the United States and Iran, marking a decisive step toward restoring maritime security and bringing to an end the unacceptable attacks against civilian shipping,” Dominguez said.