October 14, 2026
Today, Monday, 60 countries supported a joint declaration pledging to preserve freedom of navigation and to oppose any transit fees or restrictions that hinder passage in straits used for international navigation, in an international position that reflects growing concern about disrupting the movement of ships through strategic sea lanes.
This move comes in light of the extreme importance of maritime straits as major arteries for global trade and transport, which makes imposing any restrictions or additional fees on them extremely sensitive given their direct impact on the flow of legitimate navigation.
Reuters quoted the announcement as saying: “We support the ongoing multilateral initiatives, of a defensive and non-escalatory nature, aimed at preserving freedom of navigation.” The announcement enjoys broad support, including countries from the European Union, in addition to Australia, Japan, and Britain.
The signatory countries stressed their categorical rejection of any measures that would undermine international navigation, and the declaration affirmed: “We oppose any measures, including the imposition of illegal fees, transit fees, discriminatory restrictions, requirements for prior authorization, or any other conditions that would obstruct or undermine legitimate navigation through straits used for international navigation.”
This declaration embodies the commitment of the assembled countries to ensuring that sea lanes remain open, and their support for multi-faceted efforts of a defensive and non-escalatory nature to protect maritime transit traffic.
