Statement KVNR: reopening Strait of Hormuz
The Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners (KVNR) has taken note of the announcement that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz for all commercial shipping for the remaining duration of the ceasefire. This is a positive signal, as free passage through this strait is crucial for the continuity of international trade flows and the safety of the crew of ships in the Persian Gulf.
At the same time, caution is warranted. It is not the first time such an announcement has been made by Iran. At this time, there is still a lot of uncertainty, and nothing is known and confirmed about the actual implementation. For example, it is still unclear whether there will be any toll charges as previously requested by Iran, what safety risks might be present due to sea mines laid, and what concrete, verifiable guarantees can be given to shipowners and crews in this regard.
'Our members want to be able to sail as soon as possible, but safety and reliability must be paramount,' said Annet Koster, director of the KVNR.
In that interest, the KVNR calls for verifiable guarantees to be provided as soon as possible for a safe corridor through the Strait of Hormuz. This means, among other things, full transparency about any sea mines laid and other risks, clear communication on the applicable security measures, and effective international coordination to prevent incidents at sea.
