Iran Charges Up To $2 Million For Safe Passage In Strait Of Hormuz, Nations Hold Urgent Talks

Iran has started controlling ship movement through the Strait of Hormuz by allowing only approved vessels to pass through a monitored route near its coast.

In at least one case, a tanker operator paid around $2 million to secure safe passage.

Per reports, Iran is guiding selected ships through a route close to Larak Island, where its naval forces carry out checks before letting vessels move ahead.

A basic approval system has been put in place, where ships must share details such as ownership and cargo before entering the strait. Once cleared, they are allowed to pass one by one.

So far, at least nine vessels have used this route. These include LPG carriers, bulk carriers and government-linked tankers.

Two India-flagged LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, crossed the strait around March 13 after getting clearance through official talks.

Per reports, they were allowed to pass without paying any fee. A Pakistan-linked tanker and a few other vessels have also taken similar routes.

However, not all ships are getting through the same way. In at least one instance, a tanker operator is believed to have paid about $2 million to ensure safe passage through the strait.

Approvals are being handled case by case, and there are signs that Iran may bring in fixed charges for transit in the future.

Several countries, including India, China, Pakistan, Iraq and Malaysia, are now in direct talks with Tehran to make sure their ships can pass safely.

Much of this coordination is happening through intermediaries linked to Iran, rather than direct communication inside the country.

Ship tracking data shows that vessels using this corridor are avoiding their usual routes and sailing closer to Iran’s coastline.

In some cases, ships switched off their tracking signals near the strait and reappeared later near Iranian waters. This has raised concerns about safety and transparency.

There are also reports that some US-sanctioned vessels, such as Blooming Dale, Sea Bird and Salute, have used the same route in recent days. At the same time, experts warn that getting approval does not guarantee smooth passage.

Different units within Iran’s security forces may act separately, which means a ship cleared by one group could still face delays or checks from another.

The situation is already affecting global oil markets. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply, and any disruption here has a direct impact on prices.

Brent crude has crossed $100 per barrel in recent days and even touched around $118 at one point.

Tanker traffic through the strait has also dropped sharply, with only about 15 vessels reported to have passed in recent days.

Meanwhile, the US has allowed around 140 million barrels of Iranian oil already at sea to enter the market to ease supply pressure. This is expected to provide short-term relief, but uncertainty remains high.

Iran has denied that it is blocking the strait and said it is not stopping lawful shipping. However, it has warned that vessels linked to the US or Israel could be targeted, which adds to the risk for shipowners.

References: financialexpress, wionews

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