🔶 International Maritime Organization: Collecting mandatory fees in the Strait of Hormuz or any mechanism that limits freedom of navigation through international waterways is inconsistent with international law. Arsineu Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, said that collecting mandatory fees in the Strait of Hormuz or any mechanism that restricts freedom of passage and movement in international waterways is at odds with international law. At the same time, he said that instead of such an approach, a voluntary fund could be considered for this waterway. Dominguez said he discussed the “administration of the strait” with officials in Oman, and in those talks, arrangements in the straits of Malacca and Singapore were also examined. According to him, this trilateral framework established since 2007 between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore is primarily financed through voluntary contributions from user countries and the shipping industry, not through mandatory fees. Based on this model, funding is provided to support navigational safety and protect the environment in this busy waterway. Dominguez said the goal is to use the experience of a model that already exists and has been tested in practice.