Iran introduces ship selection in the Ormuz Strait. A controlled transit system is established

Iran is preparing a system of verification and registration of ships intending to cross the Strait of Ormuz. In practice, this means the creation of a new navigation control mechanism – instead of a full blockade, a selective model is introduced, in which one unit will be allowed to move and another one will remain off the road.

According to Al-Jazeera, citing Lloyd’s List, this solution is intended to maintain limited traffic while maintaining political pressure on Iranian opponents.

Selective navigation control system

In practice, this means the creation of a new shipping control mechanism at one of the most important points in the world. According to the information cited by Al-Jazeera, ships are to be approved individually and the entire process is to be supervised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In parallel, several countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China, have direct discussions with the authorities in Tehran on safe transit rules.

A key element of the new solution is to provide detailed data on the unit before entering the Strait. The difference is that shipowners must disclose not only information about the owner of the ship but also about the cargo and its destination. These data – according to the arrangements cited by Al-Jazeera – they are to go to representatives associated with Iran operating outside its territory, creating a parallel, informal communication system.

Movement breakdown and first attempts to restore it

Interestingly, in recent days there has also been a so-called "safe corridor" running through Iran's territorial waters. According to the data cited by Lloyd’s List, at least nine ships have already made use of this route. In practice, this meant maintaining the minimum flow of raw materials, although the traffic scale remains far from pre-conflict levels.

From an energy market perspective, the consequences are evident immediately. The traffic through the Strait, which accounts for about one-fifth of global oil transport, has fallen by up to 95 percent since the start of military action involving the United States and Israel. The few individuals who managed to pass through these waters belonged mainly to fleets of states maintaining trade relations with Iran. Some of them used methods of limiting identification, such as excluding AIS systems or providing data indicating links to partners accepted by Tehran.

A precedent that can change shipping rules

Although the Iranian authorities signal the mitigation of earlier threats of the complete closure of the strait, diplomatic messages remain unequivocal: the trail is to be "open but closed to enemies". Although this sounds like a declaration of deescalation, in practice it means maintaining full control over the flow of goods and selectively allowing units.

This raises the question of the durability of such a model. Trade and Maritime Law Expert Alex Mills pointed out in an interview with Al Jazeera that the new system may be a short-term solution, but in the long term its costs and risks may prove difficult to accept for the market. According to available information one of the Tankers He was to pay as much as $2 million for the possibility of crossing the Strait, although it was not confirmed that similar charges also included other units.

Despite media interest, it is not just politics or demonstration of strength. Indeed, we are trying to create a new model of shipping governance in conflict conditions. If the selective authorisation system persists longer, it may become a precedent for other regions of the world – and this would mean a lasting change in the rules for global maritime transport.