Tehran, April 9: The Iranian government has announced a new transit fee for oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz, demanding one dollar per barrel of oil in cryptocurrency. This directive arrives despite a temporary two-week ceasefire with the United States, as Tehran maintains a firm presence over the strategic waterway following a recent closure linked to regional conflicts.
Hamid Hosseini, spokesperson for Iran’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Products Exporters’ Union, stated that the measure is intended to facilitate the monitoring of all maritime traffic. Hosseini affirmed that the oversight is necessary to ensure the passage is not utilized for the transport of weaponry. While empty vessels may pass without charge, tankers carrying oil must provide cargo details via email and settle fees in bitcoin to avoid sanctions-related tracing.
The procedure for transit is expected to be lengthy, with officials noting that the assessment of each vessel will not be a hurried process. According to industry analysts, the current backlog of approximately 300 to 400 ships waiting to exit the Gulf is unlikely to clear within the current truce period. Expert estimates suggest only 10 to 15 ships may successfully navigate the strait daily under the new protocols, a sharp decline from the 135 daily transits recorded prior to the escalation.
Shipping giants, including Maersk, maintained a cautious stance as they sought further clarification on the new terms. “The ceasefire may provide transit opportunities, but it does not yet provide full maritime certainty,” the company declared. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guard Corps advised vessels to follow specific routes to avoid potential maritime hazards, asserting that unauthorized transit attempts could result in the destruction of the vessel.
