Global shipping executives are warning that President Donald Trump’s proposal to impose a 20% levy on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz could have the opposite of its intended effect, potentially choking off traffic on the vital waterway rather than generating revenue.
Hapag-Lloyd, one of the world’s largest container carriers, described the concept of charging tolls for passage through international waters as "fundamentally wrong," regardless of which nation holds sway.
Previous Handelsavisen coverage noted that oil prices had recently slid as US-Iran talks advanced and traders saw a temporary easing of supply fears.
The carrier’s stance highlights a growing consensus among logistics operators that such a fee would act as a prohibitive tax on global trade, exacerbating existing supply chain bottlenecks.
The warning comes as markets continue to digest the geopolitical risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil consumption.
Previous Handelsavisen coverage noted that oil prices had recently slid as US-Iran talks advanced and traders saw a temporary easing of supply fears. However, the introduction of a direct financial penalty on transit threatens to reignite volatility in energy and freight markets.
Analysts suggest that if the toll is implemented, carriers may seek alternative, longer routes or reduce sailings, leading to higher freight rates and tighter supply conditions.