Weeks after the U.S. and Iran signed a fragile Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for shipping, remains in flux. Bloomberg reported Saturday that some attempting to leave the Persian Gulf along the Omani coast turned back between Friday and Saturday. But then, on Sunday, some ships were able make the journey through the Strait, despite it remaining a dangerous waterway to traverse.
The International Maritime Organization was evacuating vessels and seafarers for several days after the MOU was signed, but those evacuations have been paused after a ship was attacked in the Strait on June 25. Prior to that incident, the IMO had said it had evacuated 136 vessels and around 2,900 seafarers.
In a conversation with The Dey Times, the International Maritime Organization’s Spokesperson, Natasha Brown, explained how these vessels and seafarers are evacuated. It begins with Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez speaking with IMO member countries and industries to put together a comprehensive list of vessels currently stranded, then the Secretary-General works with relevant countries to obtain security and safety guarantees.
“Once the safety and security guarantees were secured, vessels were contacted to join the framework. Vessels decide on their routes, proceed to a waiting area, and once given clearance, they transit the Strait while coordinating closely with the coastal State authorities,” Spokesperson Brown said. “The IMO Evacuation plan aimed to coordinate the exit of vessels in an orderly, safe and well-managed way to avoid congestion, accidents and collisions. Vessel movements may be suspended at any time for safety, security, or naval deconfliction purposes.”
Now, while the IMO has been working with nations including the US and Iran as of late, it is solely for the safety of vessels and its seafarers, not to weigh in at all on the geopolitical repercussions of the MOU or a future long-term peace deal.
One of the biggest questions that still remains to be answered is whether countries surrounding the Strait will charge tolls or fees to those companies looking to move through the chokepoint. Sources tell NBC News both Iran and Oman are looking to charge fees. Oman noted these potential fees would not be tolls and rather something more aligned with maintaining the Strait.
The International Maritime Organization has long maintained that any fees charged must be in accordance with international law. While there is no legal basis for tolling vessels in the Strait, the IMO has been in discussion with surrounding countries about maintenance costs. Any sort of proposal regarding fees for the Strait would have to be submitted to this UN organization and then approved by member nations before it could be enacted.
In addition to the concerns over the future of shipping in the Strait, one of the other top issues that is concerning businesses and shipping companies is the possibility of new tariffs being imposed by the US after President Trump’s most-recent tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court.
The Financial Times reported shipping rates have reached their highest level in two years due to this concern. While the IMO cannot influence shipping rates or possible laws, Natasha Brown told the Dey Times, “As much as possible, we should support the freedom of navigation and safe, efficient global shipping sector.”