TEHRAN : Iran has announced plans to introduce new service fees for commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while indicating that countries which supported Tehran during the recent conflict could receive preferential treatment.
The announcement was made by Iran’s Ambassador to China, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, during the World Peace Forum in Beijing on Saturday. He said Iran was working with Oman on a new framework to manage traffic through one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The proposal comes after a temporary arrangement between Iran and the US under which commercial vessels were allowed to use the Hormuz without charge for 60 days following a ceasefire. It remains unclear when the new system will take effect.
Iran says charges are for services, not a toll
According to an NDTV report, Fazli said Iran would introduce charges for services provided to ships passing through the strait, stressing that these should not be viewed as a transit toll.
“As a country where the Hormuz is part of its territorial waters, we will definitely charge service fees,” he said.
According to the ambassador, the fees would cover services such as ensuring the security of navigation, monitoring vessel movements and addressing the environmental impact caused by the large volume of maritime traffic.
Iran has said it is developing the new arrangements in coordination with Oman, which also borders the Strait of Hormuz.
Friendly nations to receive preferential treatment
Fazli also indicated that Tehran would offer favourable terms to countries that supported Iran during the recent conflict.
“We will definitely consider special treatment for the countries that were friendly to us and specially stood by us during the hard times,” he said.
The ambassador did not specify which countries could qualify for the preferential treatment or explain how the policy would be implemented.
Strategic waterway remains vital to global energy trade
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, carrying nearly 20 pr cent of global crude oil. Any disruption to traffic through the narrow waterway has the potential to affect global energy supplies and fuel prices.
During the recent conflict in West Asia, Iran effectively blocked commercial movement through the strait, triggering concerns over global oil supplies and causing energy prices to rise sharply.
The waterway was reopened after Iran and the United States reached an initial agreement to halt hostilities. As part of that arrangement, commercial vessels were allowed to pass through the strait without paying any charges for 60 days.
Iran’s latest announcement suggests it is preparing to establish a long-term framework for regulating commercial shipping through the strategically significant passage.
Source : First Post
