Tankers urged not to pay toll to Iran for use of strait
Tankers Urged Not to Pay Iran for Use of Strait
The International Maritime Organisation has called for tanker operators to avoid paying fees to Iran for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, following the collapse of a recent ceasefire agreement. Despite the pact, which was signed on Tuesday, traffic through the vital waterway remains sluggish, with only 15 vessels passing daily since the deal was reached. This marks a stark contrast to the usual average of nearly 140 ships per day before the conflict escalated.
Iran’s Toll Proposal Sparks Debate
Iran has claimed the right to impose charges on ships using the strait, warning that vessels might still face attacks if they don’t seek its approval. Phillip Belcher, a representative of Intertanko, a coalition of 190 independent tanker operators, said the idea of tolls “defies international law and the principle of free passage” through global waterways. He added that the strait should not be controlled by Iran’s military, stating, “Until there is a lasting end to the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz is under the de facto authority of the Iranian military.”
“We are surprised that tolls are being considered as a primary negotiation point,” Belcher told the BBC. “If Iran seeks to charge fees, it should be seen as a potential obstacle to the free flow of maritime traffic.”
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which manages much of the country’s economic activity, is listed as a terrorist group by the US and EU. Belcher highlighted that funding this entity could be seen as supporting attacks on commercial vessels. “Paying tolls to a designated terrorist organisation should be avoided,” he stated.
Efforts to Stabilize the Situation
US Vice President JD Vance is meeting Iranian officials in Islamabad to solidify details of the ceasefire, which now faces uncertainty due to ongoing strikes in Israel and Lebanon. However, the agreement has yet to fully resolve the dispute over the strait’s control. Meanwhile, some media outlets suggest Iran plans to charge up to $2 million per ship, with revenues shared between Iran and Oman, the two nations bordering the waterway.
“It’s not clear yet when the disruption will end,” said Erik Hanell, CEO of Stena Bulk. “Our company will only proceed if we have complete assurance of safety for the crews.”
Stena Bulk, like many other firms, has not engaged directly with Iranian authorities and remains wary of paying tolls without formal guidance. Hanell compared the potential toll system to a “fees for the English Channel,” expressing concern that such measures could normalize restrictions on international trade routes. The prolonged blockage risks a sharp decline in global oil, gas, and fertilizer supplies, with wider effects on fuel, electricity, and food prices.
With over 800 ships stranded in the Gulf, the crisis underscores the fragility of maritime commerce in the region. The International Maritime Organisation’s secretary general reiterated that countries must uphold freedom of navigation, emphasizing that international straits are meant for universal use. “Toll restrictions would contradict the established right of passage,” he said.
