Iran Plans to Introduce Transit Fees for Vessels Passing Through the Strait of Hormuz

Iran is preparing to implement a mandatory payment system for all commercial vessels navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. This announcement was made by Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, as reported by the SNN news network.

According to Boroujerdi, a specific bill is currently under consideration that will establish a new regulatory framework for the strait. The revenue generated from these "security and service fees" is intended to fund maritime safety operations and infrastructure maintenance in the region. However, the exact tariff rates for transit have yet to be finalized.

Recent reports from Lloyd’s List suggest that Iran has already begun testing this model by organizing "secure corridors" for certain carriers based on individual permits. According to these sources, at least one operator reportedly paid approximately $2 million for safe passage. Tehran now aims to formalize this process by launching an official transit regulation system that includes mandatory vessel registration.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Prior to the recent temporary suspension of trade movements - triggered by military operations involving the U.S. and Israel—the route accounted for:

• 15–20% of global oil and petroleum product exports.

• Over 30% of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.

As of March 25, Tehran has partially reopened the strait, granting transit rights specifically to vessels from "friendly nations," including Russia, India, Iraq, China, and Pakistan. The introduction of formal fees is seen by analysts as a strategic move to exert greater control over regional waters and generate revenue amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.