Iran waives Hormuz transit fees for 60 days as per MoU

• Tehran will cover costs under the Islamabad MoU.
• Ships must obtain approval and follow assigned routes.
• Fast-track processing and safety operations have been ordered.

In a major operational move to restore international shipping traffic, Iran's Supreme National Security Council announced that all commercial vessels transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz will be completely exempt from transit fees for a period of 60 days.

The sweeping economic measure was enacted in direct implementation of Clause 5 of the newly established Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

According to the official council statement, the financial waiver is aimed at accelerating the normalization of maritime trade, with the state treasury absorbing the entire financial burden.

"Under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, for a period of 60 days, no fees whatsoever will be collected from applicants, and these costs will be covered by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the Council verified.

Mandatory registration 

While the financial incentives are aimed at drawing commercial fleets back to the vital waterway, the Council emphasized that strict operational guidelines must be maintained due to ongoing security liabilities.

Under the new protocol, all commercial vessels seeking passage through the chokepoint are legally required to submit a formal request to the Persian Gulf Shipping Administration via its official portal (PGSA.ir).

To guarantee safety and prevent any potential maritime accidents or collisions, the Council warned that shipping firms cannot navigate the strait at will.

"Due to special conditions and the existence of certain safety risks along the transit route, and because of the necessity to ensure safe transit and prevent maritime accidents, it is mandatory for ships to transit via the routes and times designated to them," the statement noted.

Fast-tracked approvals 

The Supreme National Security Council has issued binding directives to the Persian Gulf Shipping Administration to eliminate bureaucratic delays.

The authority has been explicitly ordered to process and respond to incoming commercial transit requests with maximum speed and top operational priority to fulfill the baseline objectives of the international accord.

The Council concluded its announcement by stating that the shipping administration will progressively increase traffic capacity as the security environment stabilizes.

Detailed operational arrangements and specific technical parameters regarding the passage will be continuously updated through the PGSA portal.

Furthermore, the council noted that supplementary safety measures required by Clause 5 of the Islamabad agreement, including necessary minesweeping operations, are actively being organized to secure the shipping lane.