Investors ‘afraid’ to take position on oil, data chiefs say as tankers face potential Hormuz fees
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- Investors are hesitant to take positions in oil markets because of mixed messages about negotiations, said Dave Ernsberger of S&P Global Energy.
- Iran and Oman are discussing a joint regulation of the Strait of Hormuz that could impose an “environmental fee” or transit toll on passing vessels.
- Brent crude rose 2.5% on Tuesday, reaching $98.47 per barrel, while U.S. strikes on Iran prompted a retaliation vow from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- Amena Bakr, head of Middle East Energy and OPEC+ insights at Kepler, said the mixed messages over negotiations are heightening oil price volatility.
- Esmail Baghaei of Iran’s foreign ministry said there is no toll yet, but navigation and ecosystem preservation in the Strait will incur costs, with analysts estimating a possible $1‑per‑barrel levy.
Why it matters: Oil exporters could see profit margins squeezed by a $1‑per‑barrel Hormuz levy, while traders face heightened risk and price swings; the fee would also set a precedent for maritime tolls, reshaping shipping costs.
