Iran has warned vessels using the Strait of Hormuz transit rules that breaches could lead to fines, detention or confiscation, raising concerns for shipowners and charterers using the vital waterway. The warning was issued by the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an Iranian body created to manage the strait.
The PGSA said vessels must follow Iran’s arrangements for transit through the Strait of Hormuz. It also directed cargo owners to consult an updated list identifying ships considered non-compliant for voyages connected with the Persian Gulf. The authority said the measures could affect vessels that fail to meet its requirements.
The warning also covers operations involving ships already identified as non-compliant. According to the authority, vessels involved in ship-to-ship transfers or transshipment with non-compliant ships will themselves be placed on the restricted list. This expands the potential impact of the Strait of Hormuz transit rules beyond vessels already named by the authority.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global energy shipments, making any restrictions on vessels using the waterway important for companies involved in maritime trade. The latest warning adds another layer of risk for charterers and shipowners whose vessels need to pass through the strait.
Under the arrangements announced by Iran, ships placed on the non-compliant list can seek to have their names removed. The PGSA said vessels must submit a request to Iranian maritime authorities and provide relevant explanations as part of that process. The statement did not give further details on how such requests would be assessed or how quickly names could be removed.
The authority did not identify individual vessels in the warning provided by Reuters, but said cargo owners should rely on the updated non-compliant list when planning voyages involving the Persian Gulf. It also reiterated that violations of the arrangements could result in restrictions, including financial penalties, detention or confiscation.
The warning comes as the PGSA takes a more direct role in managing passage through the Strait of Hormuz. For shipowners, charterers and cargo interests, compliance with the Strait of Hormuz transit rules will therefore be an important consideration when arranging voyages through the waterway, according to the authority’s statement.
