The European Commission has firmly rejected proposals to charge vessels for crossing the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that international law guarantees free navigation through the critical waterway.
Responding to growing tensions, a Commission spokesperson stressed that the strait is a “public good for all humanity” and should remain toll-free. The stance follows remarks by Donald Trump suggesting a possible joint arrangement with Iran to impose fees on passing ships.
Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly introducing its own system, charging vessels per barrel of oil carried—payments that can be made in yuan or cryptocurrency, bypassing Western financial systems.
The situation has created uncertainty for global trade, with only limited traffic passing through the strait. Around 2,000 ships and 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, as renewed regional tensions continue to disrupt movement.
Brussels maintains that both proposals breach established maritime law, but ultimately acknowledged that individual shipping companies must decide whether to pay or remain stuck, balancing legal principles against operational realities.
via Euronews
