Allowing Iran to Charge Fees in Strait of Hormuz Would Set ‘Dangerous Precedent,’ Maersk CEO Says

Any agreement allowing Iran to charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz would set a “dangerous precedent” for global trade, Vincent Clerc, the chief executive of the shipping giant Maersk, said in an interview this week.

Iran has threatened to monetize its continuing control of the strait, the door to the Persian Gulf. Now with the United States and Iran moving toward an agreement to restore transit in the gulf, whether Iran can charge for passage remains an outstanding issue. President Trump has said that ships cannot be subject to any tolls, in accordance with international law. Iran has said it will impose fees, something that it did not do before the war.

The preliminary deal, expected to be signed by both sides on Friday in Switzerland, would start a 60-day cease-fire while negotiators hash out what to do about Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, its proxy war with Israel and other issues.

A senior U.S. official disclosed the text of the agreement on Wednesday. It says, in part, that Iran would offer “safe passage” of ships in and out of the gulf “free of charge” for 60 days. Further, it said that Iran would talk to Oman and other states in the region “to define the future administration and maritime services” in the strait.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/business/maersk-strait-hormuz-shipping-fees-iran-war.html