FT: Shipowners fear possible toll for passage through Strait of Hormuz

Shipping companies are concerned that a US–Iran agreement could lead to Tehran introducing a fee for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times (FT) reports, citing sources.

According to the publication, shipowners believe the wording of the agreement may open the way for the introduction, within 60 days, of charges for the use of the strait, potentially establishing a new regime for the waterway, which has traditionally been free of tolls.

Under the reported terms of the agreement, Iran would hold talks with Oman and other Gulf states on future governance and maritime services in the strait, FT said.

However, the newspaper noted that any attempt to impose a transit fee would likely face strong opposition from Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as from shipping industry bodies, which insist that the strait must remain an international waterway.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi previously said that Tehran is not planning to charge for passage itself, but rather for services provided in cooperation with Oman. These services would include navigation support, search and rescue operations, maritime safety and security services, and environmental protection measures such as oil spill response.

He stressed that such measures are consistent with international maritime law, noting that the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allows coastal states to charge for certain services.

By Vugar Khalilov