On the occasion of the general council and the private assembly of the Confederation that were held today in Naples at the headquarters of the Grimaldi group. Confitarma expressed "its firm and unanimous opposition to any form of toll in the Strait of Hormuz". 'The right of passage of ships in transit through international straits - underlined the president of Confitarma, Mario Zanetti - must be free and cannot be subject to limitations and tolls, whether they are explicit or disguised. We reaffirm the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation, on which the energy supply, international trade and competitiveness of our country".

In this regard, during the Confitarma Council it was drawn attention to the fact that the payment by the owners of a toll or any service in favour of a Sanctioned state – as Iran currently is – could a violation of the EU sanctions regime and therefore also involve violations of the contractual clauses of the bank loans already in place.

"We are following carefully - continued Zanetti - the diplomatic developments are underway, but at the moment the situation requires Still prudence and maximum vigilance, in particular for the 20 thousand seafarers still involved who represent the priority. We obviously hope for the fastest resolution of the crisis and an acceleration of the reopening of safe navigation in the Tight, also, if necessary, thanks to the precious contribution of the our Navy, together with the other national navies".