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World
Iran has issued a 40-question form requiring ships to disclose ownership, crew, and cargo details before crossing the Strait of Hormuz.
A newly revealed document shows Iran has imposed a set of conditions and rules for vessels seeking to cross the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the outbreak of war. The form, titled "Declaration of Ship Information," is issued by the newly created Iranian "Gulf Strait Authority" and must be completed by all transiting ships to ensure safe passage, according to CNN.
The document, now available to shippers, contains more than 40 questions. Vessels are required to disclose their name, identification number, any previous names, country of origin, and destination. Additional questions cover the nationalities of registered owners and operators, the nationalities of the crew on board, and details of the cargo.
This information must be emailed to the Iranian authority before the ship is allowed to transit the strait. The authority warns that "providing complete and accurate information is essential" for processing a vessel's transit request, that "any additional instructions will be sent by email," and that "the applicant alone bears responsibility for any incorrect or incomplete information and will bear the consequences."
It remains unclear whether any shipping company has yet requested permission from the new Iranian authority to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts believe doing so could expose them to U.S. sanctions. Richard Mead of Lloyd's List Intelligence, a maritime data analytics firm, said the new requirements "are very similar to the questions we knew were already being asked" of ship owners by Iranian authorities. He described the move as "formalizing the structure" and "an attempt by Iran to normalize its control over the waterways."
The document does not specify whether transit will incur fees. Tehran has promoted the strait as a potential source of revenue that could help rebuild the country after the devastation of U.S. and Israeli strikes. Reports indicate Iran has been charging up to $2 million per vessel for passage. Demetris Maniatis, CEO of maritime risk consultancy Marisks, stated: "The Iranians have demanded payment of sums of money, so-called transit fees, in order to allow these ships to sail."
Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control added guidance to its frequently asked questions page clarifying that such payments are not authorized for U.S. persons or entities. The directive stated: "Payment of any amounts to the Government of Iran or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, directly or indirectly, for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will not be permitted, whether by U.S. persons, including U.S. financial institutions, or by foreign entities owned or controlled by the United States."
