UN Maritime Agency Warns Against Hormuz Strait Tolls, Citing Threat to Global Shipping Norms

LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) – The United Nations' maritime regulator issued a firm rebuke on Thursday against proposals to levy tolls on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, labeling the idea a potential threat to foundational principles of global maritime law.

The statement from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) responds to remarks from Iranian officials, who floated the concept of charging for passage following the agreement of a temporary, two-week ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. The narrow chokepoint, situated between Oman and Iran, is a conduit for about one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil.

"There exists no international legal framework that permits the imposition of tolls for transit through international straits," an IMO spokesperson told Reuters. "Any unilateral move to establish such fees would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the universally accepted right of transit passage."

The agency pointed to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ratified by most IMO member states, which explicitly guarantees unimpeded navigation through strategic waterways like Hormuz. The convention stipulates that states bordering such straits "shall not hamper, deny, or suspend the right of transit passage."

Analysts suggest the Iranian proposal, though likely a bargaining tactic, injects fresh uncertainty into a region already fraught with geopolitical tension. The potential for retaliatory measures or escalated insurance costs could ripple through global energy markets, impacting oil prices and supply chains.

Expert Commentary:

"This is a clear test of the international order," says Michael Thorne, a maritime law scholar at King's College London. "UNCLOS is the bedrock of maritime stability. If one nation can unilaterally monetize a vital artery, it invites others to do the same, from the Malacca Strait to the Bosphorus."

"It's pure economic coercion and a blatant hostage-taking of global trade," argues Sarah Chen, a risk analyst for a major shipping consortium, her tone sharp. "After years of attacks and seizures, this is just another way to shake down the international community. The response needs to be unified and forceful, not just diplomatic words."

"The legal position is unequivocal, but the practical enforcement is the real challenge," notes David Fischer, a former tanker captain. "Ship owners will be watching closely. Any fee, even a symbolic one, creates a new operational cost and a nightmare of compliance logistics."

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Barbara Lewis)