October 13, 2026
A new European initiative has mobilized the support of more than 60 countries to refuse to impose any fees on ships crossing international sea lanes, in a diplomatic move aimed at protecting freedom of navigation amid the ongoing disturbances in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian efforts to impose conditions on the movement of ships.
The list of countries supporting the initiative includes all member states of the European Union, in addition to 33 other countries, most notably Britain, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. The move aims to prevent the exploitation of international sea lanes for financial gain or political pressure.
In the same context, European Union foreign policy official Kaya Kallas explained that the signatory countries record their categorical refusal to impose any fees on international navigation, stressing the need for passage through these lanes to remain available to everyone without exception, and not be limited to those who are able to pay only.
The initiative bases its reference on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, rejecting any illegal fees, discriminatory restrictions, or preconditions that would disrupt legitimate passage through straits used for international navigation. The participating countries also committed to working through international institutions, specifically the International Maritime Organization, to maintain the safety and security of navigation.
This international move comes at a time when Tehran insists on asserting its control over shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, linking the reopening of the vital corridor to the implementation of its demands.
Maritime shipping data reflects the extent of the paralysis that the strategic corridor has encountered. Figures from Kpler, a company specializing in analyzing shipping data, indicate that seven ships loaded with goods crossed the strait on October 6, recording its lowest level since July 23, before the number rose slightly to ten ships the next day. This sharp decline is compared to the average pre-war shipping traffic, which witnessed the crossing of about 125 large commercial ships daily.
