Badr Albusaidi said Oman opposes imposing transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while signalling support for charges related to maritime safety and environmental protection.
Speaking to a French media outlet, Albusaidi said Oman does not support fees simply for using the strategic waterway. However, he said charges for services such as navigation safety, environmental protection and emergency response could be appropriate.
“Some services may include improving navigational safety, protecting waters from pollution and strengthening preparedness for accidents or emergencies,” the Omani foreign minister said, according to Al Jazeera Media Network.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global seaborne oil exports. Any changes to shipping arrangements or transit rules are closely monitored by energy markets and international shipping companies because of their potential impact on global trade.
Albusaidi’s remarks come after Oman proposed a new shipping corridor along its territorial waters to improve navigation and reduce risks following recent military tensions in the Gulf. The proposal drew criticism from Iran, which maintains that, under the recently announced U.S.-Iran understanding, responsibility for managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains with Tehran.
The Gulf has experienced weeks of heightened tensions following exchanges of missile and drone attacks between U.S. and Iranian forces before both sides agreed to reduce military activity under the Islamabad framework. While commercial shipping has continued, several shipping companies have adopted more cautious routes and operating procedures amid lingering security concerns.
