The global shipping industry has called on the United Nations (UN) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reject any proposal that would introduce mandatory transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such charges could disrupt global trade and undermine long-standing international maritime law.

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In a joint letter sent to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, eight major international shipping organizations stressed that freedom of navigation through international waterways must remain protected and should not become part of political negotiations.

The appeal follows reports that Iran and Oman are discussing a new framework for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. While negotiations remain ongoing, industry leaders fear the talks could lead to compulsory transit charges or service fees for commercial vessels using the strategic waterway.

According to the organizations, introducing mandatory payments for passage through Hormuz would break with decades of established maritime practice and could have far-reaching consequences for global commerce.

The industry argues that any form of compulsory transit fee—even if labeled as a service charge—would increase shipping costs, drive up freight expenses, and ultimately contribute to higher energy prices, inflation, and rising costs across international supply chains.

Shipping groups also warned that allowing transit fees in one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints could encourage similar measures in other critical waterways, fundamentally altering the principles of free navigation protected under international law.

The letter was signed by some of the world’s largest maritime organizations, including the Asian Shipowners’ Association (ASA), BIMCO, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), European Shipowners (ECSA), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, and the World Shipping Council (WSC).

Industry leaders said maintaining unrestricted passage through international straits is essential to global trade, energy security, and resilient supply chains. They cautioned that introducing tolls would create uncertainty for shipowners and cargo interests while weakening protections established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The organizations also highlighted the human cost of recent instability in the region, noting that seafarers have continued operating under dangerous conditions during months of conflict. They emphasized that crew safety must remain a top priority and should not be further jeopardized by political or regulatory uncertainty.

The latest appeal builds on earlier industry guidance issued during the regional conflict, which advised ship operators to prepare for a range of security threats while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Those recommendations covered risks such as missile attacks, electronic interference, GPS disruption, AIS spoofing, sea mines, and heavy vessel congestion.

Maritime organizations also cautioned that diverting vessels away from the established Traffic Separation Scheme could create additional navigational hazards, as surrounding waters are not designed to safely accommodate large volumes of opposing commercial traffic.

While previous guidance focused primarily on operational safety, the new appeal centers on preserving the legal framework that governs international shipping routes. Industry leaders argue that any future agreement covering the Strait of Hormuz should continue to guarantee toll-free passage and uphold internationally recognized principles of freedom of navigation.

The organizations concluded by reaffirming their willingness to work alongside the IMO and the United Nations to ensure that existing international maritime laws remain intact and that the Strait of Hormuz continues to operate as a free and open passage for global commerce.