Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan's Oral Reply to Supplementary Question following the Ministerial Statements on the Government's Response to the Conflict in the Middle East, 7 April 2026

QUESTION

Mr Fadli Fawzi: Is the Government engaging the Iranian authorities to secure transit through the Strait of Hormuz for Singapore-flagged vessels, similar to what other countries like Malaysia have done, and will Singapore be open to paying a toll to pass through the Strait of Hormuz? 

REPLY

Thank you Mr Speaker, and thank you for the question. Singapore’s position on Straits Used for International Navigation is long-standing and consistent. The Strait of Hormuz, just like the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, are examples of Straits Used for International Navigation. No ifs, no buts, no questions, as far as we are concerned, it is so. Now, what is the international law position on these types of straits? The position is quite clear. There is a right of transit passage. It is not a privilege to be granted by the bordering state, it is not a license to be supplicated for, it is not a toll be paid. It is a right of ships to traverse. This right is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), of which obviously Singapore is a signatory and has ratified.

Article 44 of UNCLOS imposes a direct and unambiguous obligation on states bordering these international straits. Let me quote, it is “states bordering straits shall not hamper transit passage”. It also goes on to state “there shall be no suspension of transit passage”. Under UNCLOS, there is no exception for security, no exception for the environment, and there is no exception for war.

Singapore also takes the position that this right of transit passage is part of customary international law. In case you are wondering why I am nitpicking about customary international law, it is because there are some other states that may have signed but have not ratified UNCLOS.  And I am stating that to tell you this is not a “get out of jail free” card for states that have not ratified UNCLOS.

We have been closely monitoring the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore remains in close contact with the ship owners, as well as the operators of Singapore-flagged or Singapore-registered ships in the Persian Gulf. At both the international and regional levels, our agencies are engaging with stakeholders to explore potential opportunities to facilitate safe transit of the ships. And do not forget there is also a humanitarian issue for the workers, for the seafarers on board these ships. This includes engaging the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other member states on the potential establishment of a safe maritime corridor following the 36^th Extraordinary Session of the IMO Council. In addition, we are also engaging regional counterparts on other possible arrangements that may be explored.

You may be wondering why I am taking such a legal and strict definition. It is not because I am particularly obsessed with law, but because the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is in fact another critical chokepoint. You may be aware that in fact, if you add up all the maritime oil – crude and refined – you might be surprised that more flows through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore than even the Strait of Hormuz. If you think about global trade, container trade, there is far more flowing through this place.

And the most important geographical fact that most people are not aware of: the narrowest point in the Strait of Hormuz is 21 nautical miles. Guess what the narrowest point in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore is? It is less than two nautical miles. So do you understand now why we have to take a categorical position on international law and that UNCLOS is the constitution of the oceans and this is a right? Transit passage is a right and not a privilege for ships and planes, and this is of profound importance to Singapore. 

So to your specific question, yes – I engaged the Iranian Foreign Minister before the war. And yes, I am sure I will engage him in the near future – but as a matter of principle, and not because we are taking sides, I cannot engage in negotiations for safe passage of ships or negotiate on toll rates because to do so would be implicitly eroding this legal principle. So again, this is another example of Singapore upholding principle, not taking sides.

The larger geostrategic backdrop to this is, first, whether we realise it or not, the world has become more violent and more volatile, and there is a price to be paid for that. Second, what the Strait of Hormuz has shown, is that even in this digital age, chokepoints and physical delivery still matter. And the third point which we need to register in Singapore is that it is not enough to be an oasis of safety, security, cohesion, wealth, and even having the military ability to protect ourselves. Because if our region is aflame, and with war and missiles flying, no oasis can be safe.

The upshot of these three observations is that there is an insurance premium to be paid. So let’s be upfront with our people; explain the dangers, no sugarcoating.  Explain what needs to be done, including paying that insurance premium. So you need to alert our people but not be alarmist, and we have to walk that fine tightrope.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

7 APRIL 2026