Oman said yesterday it had co-ordinated with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to provide a temporary maritime corridor for vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency reported.
The vessels wanting to use the temporary corridor would need to co-ordinate with the IMO, based on co-ordinates announced by the organisation and Omani authorities, it added.
The measure was aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway in line with international law and the law of the sea, which uphold freedom of navigation without imposing transit fees.
In a joint statement issued after talks in Muscat, Oman and Iran said a joint working group involving their foreign ministries would be formed to continue the discussions and that they would consult other littoral states and relevant parties.
The move appears to implement a provision of the memorandum of understanding signed last week that calls for Iran to hold talks with Oman and other Gulf coastal states on the future management of navigation and maritime services in the strait, a vital waterway for global oil supplies.
Oman and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to the strait being a secure and open route for international navigation and to promoting maritime safety, freedom of navigation and regional stability.
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