Tankers urged not to pay toll to Iran for use of strait
Tankers Urged Not to Pay Iran Toll for Strait Passage
Following the collapse of a Tuesday ceasefire deal, maritime operators are being cautioned against paying Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement had aimed to restore traffic through the vital waterway, but Iran has retained control over the strait, threatening to intercept vessels without prior approval. The country has proposed levying fees for transit, which could amount to $2 million per ship, with proceeds shared between Iran and Oman.
International Concerns Over Sovereignty
Phillip Belcher of Intertanko, a coalition representing 190 tanker companies, emphasized that toll payments are not the solution. “We are surprised this has become a primary topic in talks,” he stated to the BBC. Belcher argued that the strait remains under Iranian military de facto rule, making it unsafe until there is a permanent halt to attacks and oversight by an international coalition.
“The Strait of Hormuz is not safe until there is a lasting cessation of conflict, where all attacks against ships have stopped and where Iran no longer holds sovereignty over the waterway,” Belcher added.
Challenges in Ceasefire Negotiations
US Vice President JD Vance is set to meet Iranian officials in Islamabad to finalize the ceasefire, which faces uncertainty due to ongoing strikes in Israel and Lebanon. Despite this, Iran insists ships must seek permission to pass, suggesting the toll system could be enforced. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a military branch overseeing Iran’s economic activities, has been labeled a terrorist group by the US and EU. Belcher highlighted this, noting, “Paying a terrorist organization should be avoided.”
Impact on Global Trade
Since the war began, tanker traffic through the strait has plummeted. Only 15 vessels traversed the waterway this week, compared to over 140 daily before the conflict. This has left nearly 800 ships stranded in the Gulf, most carrying cargo. The prolonged blockage risks disrupting oil, gas, and fertilizer supplies, with potential price surges for fuel, electricity, food, and medicine globally.
Industry Calls for Clarity
Erik Hanell, CEO of Swedish company Stena Bulk, said his firm would not resume operations without “100% certainty” the strait is secure. “We need safety guarantees,” he said, acknowledging ongoing discussions between the US and shipping groups but stressing the lack of official updates. Stena has not engaged directly with Iranian authorities and will not pay tolls “as a standalone company” until more information is available.
“Long-term, paying fees for the Strait of Hormuz would be like charging for the English Channel. That’s not a system we want to continue,” Hanell remarked.
President Trump initially suggested the US and Iran could impose joint fees on tankers, but later contradicted this, tweeting, “They better not be charging fees… if they are, they better stop now.” The International Maritime Organisation’s secretary general, Arsenio Dominguez, reiterated that international straits should allow unrestricted navigation, criticizing toll restrictions as a breach of maritime rights.