Shipowners criticize Trump's plans for a protection fee in the Strait of Hormuz

Trump had announced that he would demand a fee of 20 percent of the cargo value from all ships passing through the strategically important strait. This was intended to cover the US costs of protecting the Strait of Hormuz. The US government had also recently intensified the naval blockade against Iran again, after which Iran shelled US facilities in the Gulf states.

Kröger warned of far-reaching consequences for the global economy. The consequences would be higher transport costs, rising consumer prices, and a further loss of reliability for world trade. Civilian merchant shipping must not become a plaything of geopolitical disputes.

Situation for German ships and seafarers

According to the VDR, the situation in the region has been tense for months. Since the end of February – that is, for almost half a year – safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz has not been guaranteed. However, the waterway is not completely sealed off militarily. Under heavy security arrangements and in close coordination with the navies on site, individual passages continue to take place – though at a significantly reduced level and under substantially increased risk.

According to VDR figures, there were originally around 50 ships with a German connection in the Persian Gulf. By now, according to the association, around 20 ships under German flag or German management remain in the region. Three of these ships have been attacked since the conflict began.

Potential consequences for the global economy

Kröger expressed concern about the signal effect of such a move. Today it is about the Strait of Hormuz, tomorrow about the Strait of Malacca, the day after tomorrow about the next international strait. Where is this supposed to end? In doing so, the USA is attacking a principle that has formed the basis of international maritime law for decades. This cannot be in the interest of the international community of states.

According to the association's assessment, the economic impact on consumers would be felt immediately. Since a significant share of the world's traded oil and liquefied gas is transported through the strait, rising transport costs would feed directly into prices at the gas pumps and into energy prices.

According to the association, many shipping companies are currently adopting a wait-and-see approach. "Das ist tragisch für die Seeleute und zugleich eine Katastrophe für die Planungssicherheit der Schifffahrtsunternehmen, auf die der internationale Handel angewiesen ist." Whether and when ships will be able to pass through the strait will depend on further developments.

The US had recently intensified its attacks on Iran again. From the VDR's perspective, this increases the risk that the already tense security situation in one of the world's most important shipping lanes will further deteriorate. German ships and their crews are also directly affected.