‘No legal grounds for fees on international strait’, says IOM chief

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-23T13:50:43.259Z • Permanent link

Majid Al Ansari, the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has sent shockwaves throughout the global shipping industry by stating that there are "no legal grounds for fees on international strait". This assertion has significant implications for the world's busiest shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway connecting the Gulf of Oman to the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, with over 20% of the world's oil passing through it, making it a high-stakes environment for nations and shipping companies alike.

Major shipping lines, such as Maersk and CMA CGM, have been exploring the possibility of introducing tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz in recent years. These fees would be levied on vessels that pass through the strait, generating revenue for the Iranian government and potentially undermining the global shipping industry. However, Al Ansari's statement suggests that such fees may not be legally permissible under international law.

Ocean carriers, including major players such as Maersk and CMA CGM, have long been concerned about the potential for Iranian authorities to impose fees on the Strait of Hormuz. In recent years, tensions between the US and Iran have heightened, with the US imposing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and Iran retaliating by seizing oil tankers. The introduction of tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz would only exacerbate these tensions, potentially disrupting global supply chains and causing economic losses for shipping companies.

Economic disruptions to the global shipping industry could have far-reaching consequences for major markets, including the US, Europe, and Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for international trade, with over $18 trillion worth of goods passing through it each year. A disruption to this supply chain could lead to significant price increases, reduced demand, and economic losses for companies that rely on it. For example, a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that a disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could cost the US economy up to $20 billion per day.

Research communities and policymakers are also paying close attention to the implications of tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the global standard-setting authority for the shipping industry, and its views on the matter are closely watched by governments and industry stakeholders. The IMO has long advocated for the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation, and Al Ansari's statement suggests that the organization may be taking a strong stance against the introduction of tolls or fees on the Strait of Hormuz.

Historical tensions between Iran and the West have long been a factor in the Strait of Hormuz, with the US and other countries imposing sanctions on Iranian oil exports and Iran retaliating by seizing oil tankers. The US-Iran conflict has also led to a significant escalation of tensions in the region, with the US deploying military assets to the Persian Gulf and Iran threatening to retaliate with its own military forces. The Strait of Hormuz is also a critical environment for competing approaches to maritime security, with the US and other countries advocating for a rules-based approach to security and Iran pushing for a more assertive and confrontational approach.