Strait of Hormuz gets new service charges

The Strait of Hormuz remains a source of uncertainty for international shipping. According to Iran’s foreign ministry, Iran will no longer charge tolls on vessels seeking to pass through the strait, but it does intend to introduce new maritime service charges.

According to Iran, these service charges are intended to cover navigation services, environmental protection measures and other necessary services. This still creates a new cost item for shipping lines and logistics companies that depend on free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz without tolls, but not without costs

The announcement follows the so-called peace deal between the United States and Iran. According to US President Trump, the Strait of Hormuz can be used by shipping again without restrictions from Friday. He stressed that there would be no toll.

Iran, however, is now choosing different wording. Not tolls, but service charges. For the shipping sector, that may be a distinction on paper, but in practice it can still lead to higher costs for shipping lines, shippers and ultimately the entire logistics chain.

Strait of Hormuz remains politically sensitive

During the war, Iran reportedly introduced a toll of 2 million dollars per vessel. At the same time, there were blockades and conflicting statements from Tehran and Washington. Whether Iran actually collected toll revenues is unknown.

It is also unclear whether the United States will accept the new service charges. The amounts Iran has in mind are not yet known. Nor is it clear whether the charges will take effect immediately or only after the sixty-day period during which the ceasefire is supposed to hold.

Further information on international sea freight and container flows can be found on the pages about sea freight and container handling.

Strait of Hormuz will not restart immediately

Even if the Strait of Hormuz is formally open again, this does not mean shipping traffic will immediately return to normal. Checks may still be needed for mines and unsafe situations. It is also unclear which countries may deploy naval vessels to help guide the resumption of shipping traffic.

Analysts expect it could still take two to three months before shipping to and from the Persian Gulf is fully back to normal. Vessels that have been delayed for months still need to reach their destinations. Empty containers and stored cargo also need to be brought back into the right logistics flows.

Did you know that…

...the Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime chokepoints in the world? A disruption in this strait can immediately affect energy prices, container routes and global supply chains.