Iran has assured Malaysia that Malaysian tankers can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz without paying a toll that the Islamic Republic wants to exact from shippers, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday.
“The Iranian ambassador has mentioned that no toll is being imposed on Malaysian vessels,” Loke said today, as quoted by Bloomberg.
“We are a friendly party, we have good diplomatic relationship with the Iranian government,” the Malaysian minister added.
Iran has selectively allowed a small number of vessels, apart from its own, to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the war erupted a month ago.
The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil and gas chokepoint, is near-closed, with hundreds of vessels stranded, as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) only allows vessels flying flags of “friendly” countries to transit.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed from more than 100 ships transiting every day to fewer than 10 per day, most of which with critical supplies bound for China, India, and Pakistan.
Iran’s Parliament on Monday approved a bill to collect a toll from vessels wanting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Last week, Iran allowed seven tankers owned by Malaysian companies, including Sapura Energy and state energy giant Petronas, to safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.
The tankers are awaiting a safe window to proceed after Iran approved Malaysia’s request to allow the vessels to exit the Strait.
Since the war began, Iran has de facto closed the narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to most traffic, especially vessels owned or linked to the U.S., Israel, and Western countries.
“The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to normal commercial navigation, with selective transit continuing under Iranian control,” maritime intelligence firm Windward said on Monday.
“Iranian exports remain active, supported by ongoing loading at Kharg Island and continued refined product flows.”
By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com
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