By Admin 
Iran has started preparations to impose service fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. Iran’s Ambassador to China Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that Tehran will soon implement the new system. He also said that the countries that supported Iran during the recent conflict will be given special concessions in this new system.
Announced at the World Peace Forum in China
Speaking at the World Peace Forum held in Beijing, the Iranian Ambassador said that a new arrangement is being prepared for the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. For this, Iran is working together with Oman. This statement has come at a time when America has already made it clear that it does not support the idea of Iran collecting duties from ships.
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Exemption was given to pass without fee for 60 days
Under the initial agreement between the two countries after the end of the recent Iran-US conflict, commercial ships were allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without any duty for 60 days. However, no official information has been given yet regarding whether the new rule will be implemented after the end of this 60 day system.
‘There will be no toll, there will be service fee’
Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said that a part of the Strait of Hormuz falls in Iran’s territorial waters. In such a situation, charging service fees from ships is completely justified. He said, ‘We will definitely charge service fee, but it should not be seen as toll tax.’
Fees will be charged for these services
According to the Ambassador, this fee will be charged for services like providing safe passage to ships, monitoring their movement and dealing with the environmental impacts caused by heavy maritime traffic.
Friendly countries will get special concession
The Iranian ambassador said that the countries which stood with Iran during the recent conflict will be given special facilities in the new arrangement. He said, ‘We will definitely make special arrangements for those countries who remained our friends and stood by us in difficult times.’
Hormuz Strait is very important for the world oil business
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. About 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is exported through this route. During the recent Middle East conflict, Iran had closed this route to a great extent, due to which there was a sharp rise in the prices of oil and gas in the global energy market.
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Sea route opened again after agreement with America
Later, after the initial agreement with America and the conflict stopped, Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz for the movement of ships. At present, talks are going on between the two countries regarding a permanent agreement. Meanwhile, Iran’s announcement of imposing service fee is being considered a big step in terms of international maritime trade and energy market.