Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, or PGSA, began receiving applications through its website, according to industry sources Friday.
The move follows a memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S. that calls for the strait to remain open to vessels without transit fees for 60 days from the signing of the agreement.
Under Article 5 of the memorandum, Iran is required to ensure safe passage through the strait during the period.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Thursday that the PGSA had been instructed to “review and process all applications expeditiously and with priority.”
Shipping companies operating the 24 Korean-related vessels stranded inside the strait are expected to apply separately to the Iranian authority for passage.
The South Korean government plans to track the applications and closely monitor the ships once they begin moving to help ensure their safe passage.
Vessels approved to leave the strait are expected to use an alternative route designated by Iran that is considered relatively safe from mines laid in the area.
It remains unclear when all the vessels stranded inside the strait will be able to leave. The number of ships waiting in the area is estimated at as many as 1,000.
The PGSA is expected to draw up a transit plan based on the applications and inform each vessel of its assigned departure time and route.
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