New Delhi: India is not in favour of any proposal to impose toll charges on cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to government sources. The development comes amid discussions following a temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The ceasefire agreement is expected to ensure the resumption of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, which handles nearly one fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments. With the truce in place, commercial shipping through the strait is gradually returning to normal after weeks of disruption caused by regional tensions.
However, a proposal reportedly under discussion would allow Iran and Oman to collect transit fees from vessels passing through the route. The plan suggests that funds generated from such charges could be used by Iran for reconstruction following the recent conflict.
The proposal could mark a major shift from decades of international practice, under which the Strait of Hormuz has been treated as a global maritime corridor open to free passage. Many countries rely heavily on the route for energy shipments, making it one of the most important shipping lanes in the world.
India has made it clear that it does not support any form of toll on ships crossing the strait. Officials indicated that international law currently guarantees free passage through such waterways. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, interference with ships moving through international straits is prohibited, including the imposition of transit fees.
Any move to legally permit such charges would require changes to existing international maritime regulations, which currently recognise the Strait of Hormuz as a freely navigable route for global shipping.
Meanwhile, shipping activity in the region has been significantly affected by the conflict. Reports suggest that hundreds of vessels remain in the Gulf as operators assess safety conditions before resuming normal operations. Data indicates that maritime crossings through the strait fell sharply during the peak of the crisis, reflecting the scale of disruption in global energy trade.
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