Tankers urged not to pay toll to Iran for use of strait
Tankers Urged Not to Pay Iran Toll for Use of Strait
Following a Tuesday ceasefire that failed to restore normal traffic flow through the Strait of Hormuz, shipping companies are advised to avoid paying Iran for passage. The agreement was intended to reopen the vital waterway, but Iran has claimed ships must seek its approval or risk being “targeted and destroyed,” with the possibility of imposing fees for safe transit.
“Toll payments are not the optimal approach for this situation,” stated Phillip Belcher, representing Intertanko, a coalition of tanker operators. “It’s surprising that this has become a starting point for negotiations,” he added, addressing the BBC.
US Vice President JD Vance is set to meet Iranian officials in Islamabad, Pakistan, to finalize details of the ceasefire. However, the deal faces challenges due to ongoing air strikes in Israel and Lebanon, as well as a deadlock over the key shipping route. Belcher highlighted that Intertanko, which manages 190 independent operators and over half of the world’s oil tankers, continues to recommend its members avoid the strait until there is a lasting halt to hostilities.
Belcher explained that the Strait of Hormuz is currently under the effective control of Iran’s military forces. He argued that charging tolls contradicts international law, which ensures free passage through such waterways. “Until attacks on ships cease and there is a coalition overseeing the strait, Iran shouldn’t claim full authority,” he emphasized.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a military division overseeing Iran’s economic operations, is designated as a terrorist entity by the US and EU. Belcher noted that funding this group should be avoided, as it undermines the principle of secure, unrestricted maritime movement.
Media reports suggest Iran aims to establish a new system, potentially charging up to $2 million per vessel for transit. Proceeds would be split between Iran and Oman, the neighboring country. Initially, President Trump proposed a joint US-Iran fee structure, but he later clarified on social media, “If Iran is charging fees to tankers, they should stop immediately.”
IMO Stresses Freedom of Navigation
Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organisation, reiterated that international straits should be accessible to all, without toll restrictions. “Under international law, these routes are for universal use,” he said, emphasizing the importance of preserving navigation rights.
The war has drastically reduced tanker traffic, with only 15 ships passing through the strait this week compared to nearly 140 daily before the conflict. Over 800 vessels are reportedly stuck in the Gulf, most carrying cargo. Prolonged blockage risks global energy and supply chain disruptions, affecting fuel, electricity, food, and medicine prices worldwide.
Erik Hanell of Stena Bulk noted that the timeline for resuming operations remains unclear. “Our company will not proceed until we have 100% certainty about safety,” he stated. Stena has no direct contact with Iranian authorities and will withhold toll payments until official information confirms the strait’s security. “Paying fees for Hormuz is like paying to use the English Channel,” he remarked, hinting at a potential shift in maritime governance.
