Eight of the world’s largest maritime associations urged the United Nations and International Maritime Organization to oppose any compulsory tolls or service fees in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such move could lead to a domino effect around the world.
In a joint open letter to the UN secretary general António Guterres and IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez dated August 3, the associations said introducing transit tolls or service fees would establish a precedent that could undermine the internationally recognised legal framework governing straits used for international navigation and transit passage.
“Once such a precedent is established, it becomes increasingly difficult to resist similar measures elsewhere, creating uncertainty for international shipping and global commerce,” the letter continued.
Introducing compulsory charges for transit or service fees that are “a toll in all but name” would represent “a significant departure from established international practice,” and such a move would have consequences that extend beyond shipping costs, contributing to higher energy prices, higher inflation, and higher economic uncertainty.
“Any additional costs imposed on maritime transport inevitably flow through international supply chains,” they said, warning of the immediate financial implications for the global trade.
The eight maritime organisations, the Asian Shipowners Association, BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association, European Shipowners | ECSA, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO and World Shipping Council said these impacts will carry a human cost, affecting livelihoods around the world.
“As discussions regarding regional security and conflict resolution take place, we must ensure that internationally recognised rights of navigation are not compromised or used as part of broader political negotiations,” the associations wrote in the letter.
The groups also stressed that they stand ready to work with the IMO and the wider United Nations to ensure that long-established legal principles governing international straits, that are protected under international law, most notably through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are not weakened or altered.
“The ability of merchant ships to navigate international waterways safely, predictably and without unnecessary impediment is fundamental to resilient supply chains, economic stability and energy security,” the letter concluded.
The potential imposition of tolls or service fees in the Strait of Hormuz has focused attention on the fragility of global supply chains and raised concerns over how maritime chokepoints could be managed in the future.
US president Donald Trump warned on Monday that the latest round of negotiations with Iran is the “last chance” to bring an end to the conflict.
Asked if a deal would allow Iran to charge a toll on shipping using the strait, Trump said: “I’m not going to let them charge.”
The Trump administration has previously ruled out any deal that would give Iran control over the strait, which was an open international waterway before the war, but has seen traffic reduced to a trickle.
Even as hopes increased that a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could be imminent, attacks on shipping in the region continued.
The Iranian-backed Houthis claimed Wednesday they had fired ballistic missiles toward a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea.
Yahya Saree, the spokesman of the Yemeni Armed Forces, said in a prerecorded statement that the vessel was targeted in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu. He didn’t provide evidence.
There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.
Trump has threatened to hit Iran “very hard” if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
