Eight leading shipowner and shipping organizations have voiced concern over the prospect of mandatory tolls or service fees for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz. The groups sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez after reports that Iran and Oman were nearing an understanding on managing the waterway. The letter, sent on Monday, was made public on Wednesday.

The organizations said compulsory charges would contradict established principles of international navigation and weaken recognized legal frameworks governing international waterways. They argued that internationally recognized navigation rights should not become part of political bargaining. A permanent toll system, they said, could raise energy prices, accelerate inflation, create global economic uncertainty and affect livelihoods worldwide. Dominguez had previously said such tolls would violate international law and set a damaging precedent for global shipping.

Trade policy specialist Deborah Elms said Asia could face the greatest impact because it imports much of the Gulf region's energy exports. The IMO confirmed 64 incidents in the region since the conflict began, with 17 deaths. IMO and UN human rights data said at least 6,000 seafarers were stranded in and around the Strait by late July.