Tankers urged not to pay toll to Iran for use of strait

Tankers Urged Not to Pay Toll to Iran for Use of Strait

Following a ceasefire agreement that faltered on Tuesday, maritime operators are being advised to avoid paying Iran for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The deal was intended to restore normal traffic, but Iran has asserted that ships must seek its approval to transit the waterway, warning that otherwise they might face attacks. The nation has also hinted at imposing fees for use of the strait, according to recent statements.

Iran’s Proposed Toll System

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a military branch, has claimed the authority to levy charges on vessels passing through the strait. Phillip Belcher of Intertanko, a coalition representing tanker companies, argued that tolls contradict international norms. “We do not believe the payment of tolls is the right way to go about this,” he told the BBC. “It’s surprising that this is seen as a key negotiation point.”

“We are amazed that this appears to be one of the starting points of negotiations,” said Belcher.

Intertanko, which oversees 190 independent operators and half of the world’s oil tankers, continues to caution its members against using the strait until there is a sustained end to hostilities. “Until there is a lasting cessation of conflict, where all attacks on ships have stopped, the Strait is not safe,” Belcher emphasized. He also noted that Iran’s military currently exercises de facto control over the region.

International Response and Ceasefire Talks

US Vice President JD Vance is meeting with Iranian officials in Islamabad to solidify the ceasefire, though tensions persist. Continued airstrikes in Israel and Lebanon, along with a deadlock over the strait’s access, have cast doubt on the agreement’s viability. The IRGC, designated as a terrorist group by the US and EU, oversees much of Iran’s economic activity, raising concerns about toll payments to a sanctioned entity.

Some media outlets report that Iran plans to charge up to $2 million per ship for transit, with funds split between Iran and Oman. President Trump previously suggested a joint US-Iran toll system but later dismissed the idea, stating on social media: “They better not be charging fees to tankers. If they are, they better stop now.”

Global Impact of the Blockage

The conflict has drastically slowed traffic through the strait, reducing vessel numbers from over 140 daily to just 15 since the ceasefire began. This has disrupted the flow of nearly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Over 800 ships are stranded in the Gulf, most carrying cargo. The longer the closure continues, the more severe the effects on fuel, electricity, food, and medicine prices worldwide.

“International straits are meant for everyone’s use,” said Arsenio Dominguez of the International Maritime Organization. “Toll restrictions violate established rights to freedom of navigation.”

Swedish tanker firm Stena Bulk’s CEO, Erik Hanell, highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the situation. “We don’t know when the disruption will end,” he said. “But we won’t move ships through the strait unless we have full safety assurances.” Stena, he added, would not pay tolls as a company without official confirmation of the strait’s security.

While the situation remains fluid, the debate over tolls underscores broader tensions between Iran and global shipping interests. The proposed system could set a precedent for maritime control, with long-term implications for trade and international law.