By Anietie anii-bassey
Commercial shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz has begun to recover following an interim agreement between the United States and Iran that brought a temporary halt to months of conflict that disrupted global energy supplies and contributed to rising inflation across international markets.
However, major uncertainties surrounding the future control of the strategic waterway and the possibility of transit fees continue to cast a shadow over efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, remains a focal point of disagreement between Washington and Tehran despite the recent ceasefire. The narrow passage links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as a critical route for the transportation of oil, natural gas and other commodities destined for global markets.
Fresh tensions emerged over the weekend when Iran announced that it had once again closed the strait, citing recent Israeli military operations in Lebanon. The United States swiftly rejected the claim, pointing to maritime tracking data showing that commercial vessels continued to transit the waterway throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Although ship traffic has resumed, activity remains significantly below prewar levels. Industry analysts say shipping companies continue to exercise caution amid lingering security concerns and uncertainty over the future regulatory framework governing the passage.
The issue of transit fees has become one of the most contentious subjects in ongoing negotiations.
During the conflict, Iran established a new governmental body known as the Persian Gulf Strait Authority and indicated that vessels passing through the strait would be required to register with the organization. Tehran has maintained that ships should continue to comply with those procedures despite the ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could consider imposing its own charges on vessels crossing the strait if current negotiations fail to produce a comprehensive peace settlement during the 60-day negotiation period agreed upon by both sides.
The possibility of competing toll systems has alarmed shipping companies, energy traders and maritime law experts, who warn that such measures could disrupt international trade and undermine long-established legal principles governing freedom of navigation.
The Strait of Hormuz occupies a unique position in global commerce. While it borders both Iran and Oman, no single nation possesses exclusive ownership of the waterway.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed last week, Iran was granted temporary responsibility for managing operations in the strait while discussions continue with Oman and six other Gulf nations regarding its future administration and maritime services.
As part of the interim arrangement, Iran agreed not to charge transit fees for a period of 60 days, providing a temporary reprieve for shipping companies already coping with increased insurance costs and logistical challenges resulting from the conflict.
Industry observers note that while the agreement has helped restore some confidence, many critical questions remain unresolved. The long-term management structure of the strait, the role of regional governments and the potential for future fees remain subjects of intense debate.
According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, a total of 71 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz between Friday and Sunday, with traffic reaching a peak of 35 crossings on Saturday. While this represents a noticeable improvement compared with conditions during the height of the conflict, it remains well below the approximately 100 to 130 daily crossings recorded before military operations began earlier this year.
The conflict erupted after U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian facilities in late February. Tehran responded with military action of its own and effectively shut down large portions of the waterway, triggering concerns about global energy supplies and sending shipping costs sharply higher.
Under the terms of the interim framework, Iran committed to clearing mines and removing obstacles affecting maritime traffic within 30 days. Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf stated that Tehran intends to manage the strait in accordance with international maritime standards while negotiations continue.
Despite those assurances, significant navigational challenges remain. The primary central shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz is still affected by mines and remains closed to commercial traffic. As a result, vessels are being forced to use alternative routes either through Iranian territorial waters in the north or Omani waters in the south.
Shipping experts report that many vessel operators remain highly cautious. Some ships are following routes designated by Iranian authorities, while others are attempting to limit their visibility by reducing the transmission of location data from onboard tracking systems.
The debate over transit fees traces back to the early stages of the conflict. During the war, Iranian officials warned that ships would require authorization to use the strait and introduced what analysts described as a pay-to-pass system. Tehran later argued that the right to collect fees should form part of any agreement involving the reopening of the waterway.
The United States responded by imposing sanctions on the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, accusing Iran of attempting to exploit one of the world’s most important trade routes for financial and political leverage.
Trump’s recent comments indicating that Washington might seek compensation for maintaining security in the region have added another layer of complexity to negotiations. While no formal proposal has been released, the suggestion has generated concern within the maritime industry, which fears additional costs and regulatory uncertainty.
Shipping executives have also questioned the extent of authority granted to Iran under the initial agreement. Many believe greater clarity is needed regarding how future decisions about navigation rules, security arrangements and administrative oversight will be made.
Legal experts argue that imposing transit fees could conflict with established principles of international maritime law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea guarantees ships the right of transit passage through major international straits, including the Strait of Hormuz.
The treaty recognizes the importance of maintaining free and uninterrupted navigation through natural waterways that serve global commerce. While authorities may charge fees in man-made canals such as the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal, international law generally prohibits governments from imposing charges simply for passage through natural straits.
Although neither the United States nor Iran has ratified the convention, legal scholars note that many of its provisions have become widely accepted standards governing maritime conduct.
Experts further point out that both countries participate in international organizations responsible for overseeing maritime safety and navigation. Any significant changes to shipping regulations or traffic management systems would likely require consultation and approval through internationally recognized mechanisms.
According to specialists in maritime law, fees may only be collected for specific services requested by ships, such as pilotage assistance, navigation support or access to port facilities. Broad charges imposed on vessels merely exercising their right of passage through the strait would likely face significant legal challenges.
Historical examples suggest that cooperative arrangements among nations are possible. Similar frameworks have been developed for other major waterways, including the Strait of Malacca, where regional governments and international partners share responsibilities and costs without imposing mandatory transit tolls on individual vessels.
Despite the gradual return of shipping traffic, industry leaders caution that conditions remain fragile. Insurance premiums for vessels operating in the region remain elevated, and many shipping companies continue to monitor developments closely before fully restoring prewar schedules.
Risk analysts say confidence will largely depend on whether negotiators can transform the current ceasefire into a comprehensive and durable agreement. Even if a final deal is reached, experts believe it could take several months before trade flows, energy exports and commodity shipments fully return to normal levels.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains open but uncertain. As diplomats continue negotiations, the future of one of the world’s most strategically important waterways will remain closely watched by governments, energy markets and shipping companies across the globe.
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