Iran Turns Strait of Hormuz into a Paid Toll Route! Single Passage Costs Up to $2 Million, Over Three Thousand Vessels Await Clearance

Peninsula TV reports that Iran is now implementing a paid transit system for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, requiring a security fee of at least $2 million. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) shows that there are currently 2,928 ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. If all these ships pay the fee, the total transit cost would reach $585.6 billion.

Over 3,000 ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Iran, led by its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is establishing a review and registration system for transit ships, allowing only approved vessels to pass through the so-called “safe route.” According to JIN10 data, there are still 2,928 ships waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, creating a rare maritime congestion. This strategic bottleneck in global energy supply is rapidly intensifying.

Snapshot of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, source: JIN10

The report states that ships currently pass through on a case-by-case approval basis, but Iran is accelerating the development of a formal process. In the future, ships wishing to transit the strait will need to submit complete information to the Revolutionary Guard in advance, including vessel ownership structure and final cargo destination, and communicate through contacts outside Iran. Countries such as India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia, and China have already begun direct negotiations with Tehran to ensure their ships can continue to pass under the new regulations.

Oil tankers pay $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Since the outbreak of hostilities, transit volume through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by about 95%. This waterway, connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, carries about one-third of global oil shipments, 20% of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and 60% of methanol. Shipping data shows that during the blockade, a small number of ships still managed to pass, mainly vessels flying Pakistani, Indian, or Chinese flags. However, with increasing attack risks, recent transit numbers have further declined, with about three ships successfully passing each day.

Peninsula TV reports that some ships have begun turning off their AIS or actively reporting their “Chinese background” to Iranian authorities to reduce the risk of attack. Some oil tankers are paying up to $2 million to secure passage.

This article, “Iran Turns the Strait of Hormuz into a Paid Passage! One-way fee up to $2 million, over 3,000 ships waiting to pass,” first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.