Iran sets 20pc fine for ships violating Strait of Hormuz rules

According to the Iranian news agency Fars, such ships will be fined 20 per cent of the total value of their cargo.

Hassan Qashqavi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said the committee had approved some clauses of the proposed law on the Strait of Hormuz. Under these clauses, ships that violate the rules can be fined and also temporarily detained.

According to Qashqavi, a ship can be held until the fixed fine is paid. The new clauses also include further legal measures to ensure compliance with the rules set by Iran for the movement of ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The development comes at a time when the movement of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply because of tension in the region.

According to Reuters, only two large commercial ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on 21 September. Before the conflict, an average of about 125 large commercial ships passed through this key sea route every day.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea route for the transport of oil and other energy products from the Persian Gulf to world markets. Iran’s announcement of new rules and fines comes at a time when the security of this route and the movement of commercial ships are already a focus of global attention.