Singapore’s Stance on Unimpeded Transit in the Strait of Hormuz

Singapore has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the right of unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz, joining Fiji, Jamaica, and Malta in a joint statement delivered at the United Nations General Assembly following a Security Council veto on a resolution aimed at restoring safe shipping in the vital waterway.

Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Burhan Gafoor, delivered the joint statement on behalf of the four nations during the 79th Plenary Meeting of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on 16 April 2026. The meeting was convened to debate the use of veto powers by Russia and China on a draft resolution concerning the situation in the Middle East, which would have reaffirmed that all ships and aircraft enjoy the right of unimpeded transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The statement called on all concerned parties to uphold their obligations under international law, including restoring unimpeded transit passage and ensuring the safety of seafarers and ships. It emphasized that Fiji, Jamaica, Malta, and Singapore contributed substantively to the negotiation, drafting, and conclusion of UNCLOS and have an abiding interest in its faithful implementation.

Singapore’s Principled Stance on Maritime Law

Singapore’s position on the Strait of Hormuz is grounded in principle rather than political expediency. Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated in Parliament on 7 April 2026 that Singapore will not negotiate safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting the erosion of UNCLOS as a negotiable instrument. He emphasized that the right of transit passage is not a privilege to be granted by bordering states, nor a licence to be subjugated or a toll to be paid, but a right of all nations’ ships to traverse.

Balakrishnan warned that treating UNCLOS as a negotiable instrument sets a dangerous precedent, stating: “This is not a ‘get out of jail free’ card for states that have not ratified UNCLOS.” He added that the right of transit passage is part of customary international law and that if the principle can be diluted at Hormuz, no strait is safe — including the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore Strait, where more maritime oil and container trade flow than through the Persian Gulf choke point.

Regional Context and Broader Implications

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, but Singapore’s concerns extend beyond immediate regional dynamics. As a major maritime hub, Singapore’s stakes lie in preserving the integrity of international maritime law across all strategic waterways. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is reportedly in close contact with owners and operators of Singapore-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf to monitor developments and ensure compliance with safety protocols.

Singapore’s call for the restoration of unimpeded transit aligns with its broader advocacy for a rules-based international order. The joint statement at the UN reflects sustained diplomatic engagement by the four co-sponsoring nations to uphold UNCLOS amid growing challenges to maritime freedom of navigation, including reported arrangements whereby some states have made direct payments to secure passage — arrangements Singapore explicitly rejects as undermining the legal framework.

As of 17 April 2026, Singapore continues to advocate for the restoration of safe and unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, maintaining that the principle of transit passage must be preserved not only for regional stability but as a cornerstone of global maritime governance.