Persian Gulf Strait Authority Threatens Legal Action Against Sinokor Vessels

The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) announced on 26 October that all vessels belonging to South Korean shipping company Sinokor will be subject to legal action effective 1 November. The authority’s statement, issued from its headquarters in Tehran, cites “non‑compliance with the agency’s regulatory framework” as the basis for the sanctions. Sinokor’s fleet, which includes several container and bulk carriers that regularly call at ports in the Gulf of Oman, has reportedly failed to obtain the necessary transit permits or to submit required documentation to the PGSA. The company’s spokesperson has not yet responded publicly to the Iranian warning.

The PGSA was established on 5 May 2026 amid escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that connects the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global energy trade, with roughly 20 % of the world’s petroleum passing through its 30‑mile width. Iran has historically exercised tight control over transit, issuing transit permits and imposing sanctions on vessels that violate its maritime regulations. The new agency consolidates and formalises Iran’s regulatory authority, allowing it to issue permits, conduct inspections, and enforce penalties through a legal framework that aligns with Tehran’s broader strategy to assert sovereignty over the strait.

Sinokor Merchant Marine Co., Ltd., founded in 1971, operates a fleet of about 30 vessels, including container ships and bulk carriers. The company has a long history of trading across the Middle East, with regular calls at Iranian ports such as Bandar Abbas and Bandar Anzali. In recent years, several Korean shipping firms have faced scrutiny from Iranian regulators for alleged violations of transit rules and for operating without the necessary permits. The PGSA’s warning comes after a series of inspections in which Sinokor’s vessels were found lacking the required documentation for the “Transit Permit for Iranian Waters” and for compliance with the agency’s new electronic reporting system introduced in January 2026.

Reactions from the international shipping community have been cautious. The Korean Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries released a statement affirming that Sinokor is cooperating with Iranian authorities and that it is investigating the alleged compliance breaches. The United States Maritime Administration has urged all U.S. and allied shipping companies to review their operations in the Gulf of Oman to ensure adherence to both U.S. sanctions and local regulations. The European Union’s Maritime Safety Agency has expressed concern that unilateral enforcement actions could undermine established maritime conventions and recommended dialogue between Tehran and the affected parties.

The legal action against Sinokor carries broader implications for global maritime trade. A tightening of Iran’s regulatory regime in the Hormuz Strait could increase transit delays and insurance costs for vessels that pass through the waterway, potentially diverting shipping routes to the longer Bosphorus or the Suez Canal corridors. Any escalation of sanctions or enforcement actions may also exacerbate tensions between Iran and Western powers that rely on uninterrupted energy supplies. For the regional economy, the move underscores the fragility of supply chains that depend on the Strait’s stability, and it highlights the need for shipping operators to maintain robust compliance programs when navigating geopolitically sensitive waters.