LONDON — The United Nations’ maritime authority announced Monday that it stands firmly against tolls being imposed on ships traveling through international waterways, issuing the statement after U.S. President Donald Trump declared plans to reinstate a naval blockade on Iran and levy a 20% fee on all cargo moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the announcement via a post on Truth Social, stating the process would get underway immediately. He provided no additional details in the post.
A spokesperson for the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization said the agency was tracking the situation closely. “We are aware of the post and awaiting more details,” the spokesperson said.
The agency made its position on the matter clear: “We have always been consistent on our stance on fees — IMO stands firmly against charging fees for passage through straits used for international navigation. There is no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory tolls simply to transit through a strait.”
Officials within the global shipping industry voiced alarm over the announcement, saying they believe such a policy would run counter to international law. One industry official, who chose not to be named, questioned the practical impact of Trump’s proposal. “How is this going to make it safer to sail through and what guarantees will this give?” the official said in response to the post.
