Eight leading maritime associations have issued a joint appeal to the United Nations and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to prevent the imposition of tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The coalition, which includes the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), argues that such fees would exacerbate existing disruptions to global trade flows and further strain energy supply chains already under pressure from regional tensions.
The call to action comes as the US and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations have jointly demanded the immediate reopening of the strait, explicitly rejecting any proposals to monetize transit through the chokepoint.
The maritime industry’s intervention underscores the sector’s concern that tolls could institutionalize the disruption, turning a geopolitical flashpoint into a permanent cost burden for global commerce.
Thomas Kazakos, secretary-general of the ICS, is among the industry leaders urging diplomatic resolution.
The associations warn that financial barriers to transit would not only increase freight costs but also complicate insurance and routing decisions for tanker operators navigating the volatile corridor.